It was soothing warmth and a soft chirping that brought me back to my senses, and I opened up bleary eyes to see Seraph looking intensely pleased as she sat on my chest. Lifting a hand weakly to stroke her plumage, I stared past her at the worried faces of two of our captors. The female Tauriel, and Legolas, the elven prince. Both looked relieved when I sat up slowly. I gave Tauriel a grateful smile as I avoided meeting Legolas' gaze, still unsure what to make of him. I felt that I could trust the guard captain though, especially after Seraph told me that it was she who found me.
"Thank you," I said softly. "Seraph told me what you did. I owe you my life." Seraph chirped in agreement, hopping over to her palm and showing her happiness.
Tauriel bowed her head in acknowledgement, seeming pleased to have earned my companion's affections. "What happened to cause this?" she asked curiously. Noting the intense stare on the prince's face, I shifted uncomfortably, unwilling to divulge this weakness in case they chose to exploit it.
"If she will not speak you must put her back in her cell," Legolas snapped, as he began to run out of patience. He looked rather smug when I flinched, before frowning as I paled considerably, earning him a swift scolding from Seraph. The tiny bird was hopping from foot to foot angrily and shaking her head.
I opened my mouth to answer him before closing it again in fearful hesitation. "I cannot... I don't..." I sucked in a breath of air, ceasing my protests when I suddenly felt a calming presence in the back of my mind. A hazy image of flower-covered hair and rippling laughter soothed my thoughts, and I gathered my courage before placing my life in their hands. "I must never be away from the sky. Yavanna gave me a gift, but it came with a price. If I am left in darkness for too long I will perish." My explanation concluded, I watched the two of them nervously, awaiting judgement. Tauriel and Legolas exchanged a look, communicating silently with each other. Coming to a decision, Legolas turned to me, his gaze conflicted.
"We will see to it you are given a room with outside access as long as you promise not to attempt escape. My father will be unhappy about this..."
"I don't wish to get you in any trouble," I protested weakly, though my heart wasn't really in it.
Legolas grinned suddenly. "Never mind that. After all, we mustn't anger the gods by killing their servants." I managed a slight chuckle, thinking perhaps my earlier assessment of him may have been too harsh. Extending a hand to me, he pulled me easily to my feet before having Tauriel escort me to a room. He left the two of us just inside the door to the palace, off to inform his father of my change in accommodations.
Now that Tauriel and I were alone I decided to ask her a favor that I had been unwilling to push with the prince nearby. I felt his goodwill would only extend so far, but I had caught her looking curiously at the dwarves and felt she would not deny me my request. "Would you inform my companions of my return to health? I am afraid they will worry if they do not know what has happened to me."
The captain gave me a look of consideration. "What has you so concerned about them? Dwarves and elves have never gotten along." Despite the negative statement, I sensed the forced way in which it was recited, as if she were merely parroting the beliefs of another. As she looked genuinely interested in my answer, I decided it would do no harm to tell her a bit about myself.
"When I first found myself in this world I was just outside the dwarves settlement of Ered Luin. I feel I should mention that where I come from dwarves have always been allied with my kind, so you can imagine my surprise when I was turned back from the gate by hostile guards. I believe it was at this point that the gods must have interfered, for the first friendly faces I met were the two nephews of Thorin, leader of the town. They had snuck out, and their safe return at my hands lessened his distrust just enough to allow me further opportunity to prove my sincerity." Tauriel looked about to interrupt at this point, clearly wondering where the tale could be going. I waited patiently for her question.
"If they trusted you so little why did you stay? And how are you now traveling with them for that matter?"
I smiled in memory of the past. "I had nowhere else to go, I was in a land completely unfamiliar to me. As for how I journey with them now? The events I speak of happened seventy years ago." Tauriel looked astonished with my admission. "In that time we became like family. Thorin, his sister Dis, her two boys, and all the other members of the company. I watched Fili and Kili grow up into the young men they are now, and I couldn't be happier with my place among them."
During our talk we had reached the door to what was to become my room for the indefinite future. Tauriel looked thoughtful now as she led me inside. "I will tell them you are alright," she agreed. "I will also be back to check on you later." As she headed back down the hall I could hear her contemplative musing. "Perhaps Thranduil was wrong about these dwarves, if one so like us can befriend them." I smiled to myself, happy to think that I had created even a flicker of doubt against the hatred the elf king had fostered among his people.
Down in the dungeons Thorin was pacing, nearly frantic with worry over his beloved. The single patrol of guards that had come past since she had been carried away had nothing to tell him concerning Alanta's whereabouts. Indeed, they had said nothing at all, merely checking the cells to ensure the dwarves were all still there before going back to their posts at the end of the hall. He had just turned around from the back of the cell to look through the bars again when the red haired captain appeared, a marked improvement to her expression. Where once there had been a note of hostility, there was instead only thoughtful curiosity. Before he could speak to question her presence here she gave a hesitant smile.
"Your friend? She asked that I inform you of her return to good health." Thorin sighed in relief, his shoulders visibly drooping as the tension flowed out of him at this piece of news. It didn't even occur to him to distrust the elf at this point, her face was so open. "It would appear we were unwise to keep her locked away from the light, as it was causing her to fade. I have not heard of such a thing among my kind, but considering the power she possesses? Perhaps not so strange after all. I saw to it that she was moved to a room that will allow her access to the light she needs." Tauriel gazed at him a moment, observing his reaction. He was frowning, but not with anger. Something more thoughtful rested in his eyes, as if he were considering some new information.
Thorin looked up at the elf still standing before him. "Thank you," he offered gruffly. "I am grateful for her safety." Her eyes had widened slightly at the thought of what his words implied when coupled with the unmistakable caring in his eyes. Seeing her reaction, Thorin felt immediately embarrassed. "We are all grateful," he hurriedly amended, before turning away to think about her with as much privacy as could be had in a cell.
Thinking to return to Alanta, Tauriel left the dwarf to his thoughts, her own mind now muddled with conflicting opinions. Thranduil told us dwarves were all possessed by greed, incapable of love. Yet this one clearly cares deeply for his companion, and she is not even of his own race.
Thorin guessed that it was now night time, for the guards that kept watch had left for the evening again. They patrolled less at night, even leaving for periods of time altogether in the wee small hours when it would have been darkest outside. Whether this was because they thought the prisoners too smart to attempt leaving the safety of the palace at night, or because they were simply growing complacent he did not know. Whatever the reason, it gave him time to think and plan, searching through his mind for a way out of this mess. He wondered if it might be possible to get word to Alanta somehow before dismissing the idea. He did not have the ability to call upon her animals, so he would just have to wait and hope she had the same idea.
His companions were growing restless as the days in captivity dragged on. He could hear them muttering dejectedly. "We're never going to get out of here are we?" Balin said, sadness filling his voice.
"Not with that attitude you won't." The dwarves jumped, running to the bars of their cells and straining to see the bearer of the familiar voice. All of a sudden, Bilbo appeared as if out of thin air, leaving the group to exclaim softly in surprise.
"Bilbo!" they cheered, grinning when the hobbit placed a finger to his lips, cautioning them to keep quiet. "We didn't know hobbits could become invisible."
"Yes, well," Bilbo hummed in response, offering a noncommittal shrug. "I have a plan," he added quickly as he changed the subject. The dwarves put the vanishing aside for a moment in the face of this favorable news, listening intently for what their burglar had to say. "I will need a couple of days to pull it off, but I think with a bit of luck we may be out of here soon. The elves are having some sort of big party in two days time, everyone invited, even the guards. I think that will be our time to make it out of here, so I will spend the rest of the time getting things as prepared as I can. I may be able to recover your weapons, though it remains to be seen if I can smuggle them to our escape point."
The group was cheered greatly by this news, Thorin reaching through the bars of his cell to grasp the hobbits small hand in his. "We will wait eagerly for your return," the dwarf king said gratefully. Noting the way Bilbo's cheeks had gotten thinner, and the dark circles under his eyes, he felt a small measure of concern. "Are you keeping yourself well?" he asked in a rare display of emotion. "Eating enough, getting some sleep?" Thorin did not want to lose their burglar, nay their friend, so close to the end of the quest.
Bilbo waved him off, offering a wry smile. "Time enough for that when we get out," he said airily. "Don't worry about me." Stepping back, he tucked his hands in his vest pockets and disappeared.
I sat on the edge of the soft bed, resting now for the evening. It was the first good sleep I had in days, and I woke some time later feeling refreshed only to realize it was the middle of the night. Wondering if I dared attempt to visit the others I peered out into the hall, noting the presence of guards with chagrin. It was only when I sat back down that I clapped a hand to my head, an idea quickly forming. I rummaged through my pack, bringing out a piece of parchment and a writing instrument. I kept a careful ear pricked to listen for any approaching guards as I hastily penned a note in khuzdul.
"Seraph," I whispered, gathering the little bird into my hands when she appeared. I fastened the paper to her leg. "Can you take this to Thorin? Don't let anyone see you." She chirped in agreement, disappearing with a soft pop.
Thorin glanced up with a chuckle upon hearing the familiar popping noise of one of Alanta's companions appearing. Seraph was beside him in a flash, allowing him to untie the small paper from her leg before settling herself comfortably on his shoulder. He read eagerly. 'Dearest Thorin, I hope you are not suffering too much in your cell. I am well, though Tauriel should have already told you that. I think she would make a good ally in future, she seems amenable to a friendship with the company. I am being watched closely, but I continue to focus my thoughts on a possible escape. If I come up with something I will let you know. Love, Alanta.'
Wishing to write a reply, Thorin cast about him for anything he could use to write with. He supposed he could cut his finger and write in blood, but that was rather morbid, and he would prefer another way. Digging into the pocket of his trousers, he was met with a thin stick. Charcoal. The piece was not large, and would be difficult to write with, but it would do in a pinch. He scrawled a short reply on the back of the note, fastening it to Seraph's leg and stroking her feathers affectionately. She chirped softly, leaning into his touch before disappearing again.
I grinned when a reply to my note came back within the hour, cuddling Seraph in my lap as I read the hastily written letters. 'Ghivashel, you have no idea how good it is to hear from you. We are all as well as can be expected. Here is some good news. Bilbo appeared, and apparently he can vanish at will. He has come up with an escape plan, to be executed in two days when the elves have their party. Since you are near light, I assume you can get out easily enough so be ready. Thorin.'
"Well, that solves that problem then," I whispered to Seraph. I settled down to wait, relieved to hear that Bilbo was alright and taking control.
The next day and a half passed in a blur. With not much else to do but sit in my room and entertain the small amount of curious visitors I received, I found myself resting often. It was in the morning of the day we planned to leave that Tauriel entered my room with a smile. "We are having a great feast tonight," she announced eagerly. "I would like it if you came as my guest."
"I would love to!" This was perfect, I couldn't help thinking. The dwarves wouldn't try to leave until the party was in full swing, giving me ample time to get to know some of the people here while making it look like nothing was amiss. "Is there some special reason for this feast?" I asked curiously, thinking of the feast days of my own people.
Tauriel nodded. "It is Mereth en Gilith, the feast of starlight."
"How appropriate," I murmured, remembering the way the sky above the forest became coated with stars like diamond dust. It was certainly a beautiful sight, and as I worshiped the moon I could relate to their love of the distant lights. Tauriel appeared pleased with my response, offering me fresh garments to wear in lovely silken fabrics. I accepted happily, oddly looking forward to ditching my travel gear for one night. It had been a long time since I wore a dress, or went to a party of any sort.
Evening came quickly, and as I changed into the party clothes I made sure my bag was packed with anything I could get my hands on. I had tucked it safely under the bed, out of sight of any curious maids who might enter the room when I was away. I then made sure I was alone before doing one last thing. Calling Seraph, I bade her go to Thorin, where she could wait until they made their move.
"When they begin to leave, let me know," I whispered. She bobbed her head before whisking off down the hall, unafraid of being noticed.
Thorin was getting restless, now that the time to leave was nearing ever closer. He paced his cell again, staying silent to listen for Bilbo's approach. The faint strains of music could be heard from above as the elves celebrated whatever special occasion they had created. No guards paced the halls, the silent watchmen having abandoned their posts for the festivities above. Thorin's pacing was at last interrupted when Seraph popped up beside him with a chirp. She landed in his outstretched palm, waiting for the signal to move out.
The two silently commiserated for a moment, having grown used to each others company after so many years together. It was Seraph who broke their connection first, looking up towards the empty hall, head cocked to the side quizzically. Her keen senses proved accurate when Bilbo appeared moments later, pulling a hand out of his pocket surreptitiously as he came. With a grin, he gently shook a large ring of keys proudly, their clinking sounding like music to the dwarves ears.
"Well done Bilbo!" Thorin praised him, giving his friend a pat on the back once he was freed of his cell. The others were out soon after, and the group spent a moment to celebrate their freedom before following Bilbo where he led. Seraph disappeared with a pop, off to tell her mistress the plan was in action. Swiftly Bilbo showed the way down to where he had found an unguarded exit.
"I found your weapons as well," he called back happily, pointing to the gleaming pile of supplies hidden behind a barrel in the large cellar they now occupied. The group quickly geared themselves, Thorin tucking Alanta's knives into his belt for safekeeping. Looking around, they began to feel a little uneasy at the lack of a visible exit door.
"So, how do we get out?" Kili asked in confusion.
Bilbo shuffled his feet, visibly apprehensive of their reaction. "You need to get in the barrels. Then we can all drop down through the gate in the floor and ride the river out of here." Seeing their alarmed skepticism, he hastened to reassure them. "I'm sure it will be alright. Besides, this is the only way I could find out of this place besides the front door, and that is heavily guarded even now."
The group began to grumble in protest even as they shuffled towards the many large barrels stacked neatly on the floor. They were all suffering the stirrings of discomfort at the sight of their makeshift boats. Bilbo was quick to get them settled, making sure everyone was secure before going over to the large lever in the floor. "Ready?" he asked them.
"Just get it over with laddie," Dori grouched, the others nodding their agreement. With a heave, Bilbo pulled the lever, the dwarves bracing themselves as they hit the water with a resounding splash. Bilbo hurried after them, leaping through the rapidly closing hole in the floor and allowing Balin to pull him up into an empty barrel that had come with them. They began their journey down the river, moving at a fast pace and hoping Alanta would be able to find them.
I was shocked to see the normally somber elves dressed in bright colors and laughing merrily. In this light they almost reminded me of their friendlier kin in Rivendell, and I began to relax. Tables adorned with food filled the center of the space, and all around it elves were talking and dancing. I saw the elven king at the head of the great hall, and I avoided him, not wishing another conversation to destroy the good mood I was experiencing. Tauriel led me throughout the hall, introducing me to some of the other guard. We also had a brief conversation with Legolas, and I chuckled to see how uncomfortable he seemed to be in his formal attire. He took my amusement in good humor, talking animatedly before he moved off through the crowd to greet the others one by one.
I indulged myself with trying many of the unfamiliar dishes at the feast, exclaiming in delight whenever I found something I liked. The minutes went past, and I tried not to look for Seraph, knowing she would undoubtedly show up soon. Sure enough, she appeared some time later, settling on my shoulder.
"Oh, your little friend is back!" Tauriel exclaimed, eying the bird with evident longing.
"She seems to think it is time I went to sleep," I laughed, making sure to sound natural. "She is probably right though, I am getting a little tired." I yawned for good effect. Seeing the crestfallen look on the captain's face, I thought of a way to further lower suspicion and placate her at the same time. "Why don't you stay here and make friends Seraph?" I encouraged the bird, nodding when she asked silently if I was leaving. Understanding what I wanted, she transferred herself to Tauriel, and the warrior lit up happily.
"I'll escort you to your room before showing Seraph around," she smiled. We walked sedately through the halls, relaxing in each others company. Reaching my room, Tauriel impulsively clasped me in a hug that I returned happily. "Pleasant dreams," she offered before returning down the hall with Seraph in tow.
I closed the door behind me, jumping into action quickly once they were gone. Stripping off the dress, I put my armor back on, mourning the loss of my knives. I didn't have time to search for them, and hoped that maybe Tauriel would forgive what I was about to do and save them for me. Writing a note, I grabbed my bag, shifted to my raven form, and flew out the window. The note lay gleaming in the moon light on the table, the words shining dark against the page. 'Tauriel, I am sorry for the abrupt departure, but I must continue our quest. I hope you will not be too angry with me for deceiving you, I truly think you are a wonderful person and I hope we meet again in future. Please tell Thranduil that it was always my intention to heal the forest. I will return when our quest is done to fulfill the promise I made to Yavanna. Your home will be green once more. Sincerely, Alanta.'
Circling the palace, I thought surely my eyes were playing tricks on me when I spotted what looked like the company riding barrels down the river. I swooped closer, blinking in astonishment as I saw that I was correct. The company appeared thoroughly soaked as the barrels bobbed up and down in the rapidly heaving water. Giving a rasping call, I got their attention, earning happy cheers. I landed on the rim of Thorin's barrel, balancing easily in my lighter form. I jokingly extended my wings like sails, stretching out my neck in a majestic pose. The king laughed uproariously, the others soon joining him.
We continued in this fashion down the stream for some time, glad that it appeared we were not being followed. After a few hours the stream began to slow visibly, until we had lost all hint of a current. The barrels were drifting along sluggishly, and we took that as a sign to paddle for the shore and continue on foot. We made the bank with only a small amount of struggle, leaving the barrels behind on the gravel for the elves to discover. Following the course of the water, we presently reached the edge of a massive icy lake. It was a relief to spot a large boat nearby, manned by a single person, and we quickly agreed to see if he would be willing to carry us across. Balin was elected spokesperson due to his extensive background in politics and he approached the man cautiously.
He glanced up as we made our way over, swiftly facing us with an arrow knocked on his large bow. "What business brings you here?" he asked suspiciously.
"We are traders headed home to the Iron Hills," Balin replied peaceably. "We wondered if we might book passage across the lake to resupply before making the rest of our journey, as we are desperately in need of food."
The man deliberated. "The master does not take kindly to strangers in his town," he said slowly, though he lowered his weapon a fraction.
"We are more than happy to pay handsomely for any services rendered," Balin was quick to reassure him. Seeming placated, the man nodded us aboard.
"I am Bard," he offered, moving to the stern of the boat to steer it with the long pole as we climbed aboard. Most of the company sat in the bow, eying the water with trepidation. It was full of chunks of ice, and pillars of stone protruded out at odd angles, making strange shapes through the fog that descended as we got further out.
Bilbo and I joined the man at his position, Ori deciding to follow close behind. I suspected he wanted to learn more about the people here so he could record it in his notebook. We talked quietly, Bard offering up a few details about his life. We neared the outskirts of the town when he swore violently, glaring darkly at a slight figure standing in wait along the dock.
"What is the matter?" I asked worriedly, the group all watching him now, ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble.
"Alfrid," he growled, pointing a shaking hand at the dark figure as we came closer. "He's the master's henchman," he said by way of explanation. "We don't get along," he added.
I could see that he was regretting bringing us now, what with the trouble it would apparently cause for him, so I offered him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I know exactly how to deal with men like that. Let me handle this and I will ensure you do not receive blame." He nodded reluctantly, steering the boat towards the dock with a scowl fixed upon his face.
"Oh Bard, what on earth have you done now?" the man leered as we pulled alongside him. "The master will be most displeased." He looked over us, greedy eyes evaluating our potential wealth. He was a shifty fellow, pale skin in stark contrast to the black clothes that covered his thin frame. I stepped forward, commanding his attention as he was forced to crane his neck slightly to look at me. I could hear Thorin beginning to snarl at the look on the man's face so I hastened to take control of the situation.
"Greetings. I believe you are Alfrid if I'm not mistaken." He nodded, frowning when I knew his name. "I'm Alanta, at your service. My company and I are in need of some assistance, and Bard here kindly offered us passage across the lake so that we might speak to your master."
"He doesn't like strangers in this town, specially those with nothing to offer," Alfrid sneered, looking me up and down as if to say I had something to offer after all. I heard a muffled noise of protest from Thorin behind me at the insult and was glad that the others appeared to be attempting to keep him silent. I sighed in exasperation.
Plastering a polite smile on my face, I reached into my pack. "It's a good thing we have something to offer then isn't it?" Finding what I sought, I placed a large gold coin in the man's hand, watching in satisfaction as his eyes flickered with barely concealed greed. "There's more where that came from, as I'm certain your master would be interested to find out," I continued smoothly. He changed his demeanor in a second, offering what he must have considered a pleasant face.
"Right this way." We followed after him, offering our thanks to a relieved Bard and promising to see him again another time. The meeting with the master went in a similar fashion, my larger bribe getting us all the assistance we required. We left the greedy men with their trinkets, a man servant directing us to a guest house.
"Where did you get all that gold?" Nori asked curiously.
I shrugged. "I may have liberated some from the troll hoard while you were burying it." A number of the group snorted with laughter.
"That's my girl," Gloin said proudly, leaving us to dissolve fully in merriment. We were met with a few curious looks as we traversed the streets, but we ignored them for now, eager to get some rest. Just before we entered the building we all stopped, standing on the dock to look into the distance. Far away over the drifting fog we could barely make out a solitary peak on the horizon. It gave us hope that we were so very close and we relaxed now that the journey was almost over.
Author's note: Well, another chapter done, and I hope I managed to get a suitable amount of conflict into this one. The relationships between the elves and dwarves and Alanta are all going to have interesting effects on future chapters as they work through their confusion and bias. I opted to go with the book version of the barrel scene, although I do like the movie version this one suited my purpose better. It stood to reason that with the death of Azog back on the cliff the orcs would not be quite as organized and able to catch up to them as last time. I also used a more book centric version of the lake town meeting, though with the inclusion of Alfrid, as I really like him for an unsavory character. There are going to be some significant changes to the next bit of the story due to Alanta being rather a bad ass with a few secret tricks up her sleeve. Anyways, here's hoping you enjoyed this chapter and thanks again for sticking by me and reading the story!