Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns everything save for characters not in his works.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: The Elvenkings Halls
Thorin stood in a field of green, wildflowers waving in the wind. In the distance rose the snow capped peak of Erebor. He gazed around himself in awe, wondering if he had already reclaimed the mountain and expelled that foul dragon from his home. If that were true then had his company survived?
"Thorin," called the familiar voice of the woman who he held most dear. Turning he saw her, dress billowing with the breeze, smiling at him. She looked radiant. On her head, woven into her dark hair lay a crown of sapphires, chains of mithril entwined in her braids. He approached her, a smile pulling at his lips when she held her hands out towards him.
But he stopped when he saw the swell of her belly.
A child?
His own? Pride swelled in his chest, roaring into a possessive beast, and he closed the distance. Engulfing her in his arms he drew back to place his hand over her stomach. He raised his eyes to hers when he felt the babe move.
"Our son," she murmured happily.
"Our son," he echoed. How had he come to be so blessed? Mahal surely must be pleased with him. Thorin couldn't stop smiling.
"This is what will be, Thorin, son of Thrain, if you do not let greed into your heart," said a voice from behind him. Thorin stiffened and turned, his smile vanishing at the sight of the elf before him. He stood tall, and if his eyes were not deceiving him, glowed.
"Who are you?" he demanded roughly, placing himself between the elf and Nuil.
The elf tilted his head and his lips pulled into a slight smile. "I am Irmo. Master of Dreams. I am one of the Valar and brother of Aulë. The one whom you call Mahal."
If it were possible, Thorin stiffened further.
"What are you doing here?"
"In your dream?"
Thorin drew in a sharp breath, turning to look back at Nuil, only to find her vanished. He whirled around to face Irmo. "What have you done?! Where is she?!" he demanded, angrily.
The elf, Irmo, gave him a passive look. "I showed you what may come to be. Should you overcome your goldsickness."
"I am not my grandfather."
"No?" Irmo asked. "It lies in your heart. You ignore it, tell yourself that you are not your grandsire. But it is a false illusion. The seed of madness runs in your blood. Great strength will be needed to overcome it." He turned to face Erebor. "Your beloved worries greatly of this. She sees it already, and fears the end of your journey."
"Nuil-"
"Is afraid. Afraid to lose you and the son that you will have." Thorin's brows rose, Irmo glanced at him. "I petitioned my brother to give her more time in Arda, for a chance at this dwindling dream. She died in the Caradhas. She may not remember it completely, but it was a painful and slow death."
Thorin felt guilt and rage boil within him, along with growing misery. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Your path is becoming set into stone. She will die for you, Thorin son of Thrain, if you let greed rule you," Irmo told him gravely. Then he looked back to the mountain, his voice thoughtful, "it is difficult to enter the dreams of my brothers children, for we are not created by the same father. You are a strong and resistant people. It was only through the spiders venom that weakened you, that I finally made contact."
"Spiders . . . ?"
"You will wake soon, Thorin son of Thrain, and your path will become yours alone. Your choices in the coming days will seal the fates of those who follow you."
There was a knowing look in Irmo's eyes.
"What do you know?" Thorin demanded, fear gripping him.
"Only what fate has woven," he murmured before disappearing. Thorin turned about, searching for any sign of the elf, but found none. Then a gut wrenching sensation filled him, as though he were falling.
It was the impact with the forest floor that woke him.
The spider venom, affected them differently. Bilbo, who woke first, was rather resilient to its effects. The dwarves were in varying states of confusion to sickness. Fili, who helped Nuil out of her cocoon, noticed the womans pale face and clammy skin. He moved quickly when she turned and heaved into the foliage beside her. Since her stomach was empty, the acid burned her throat and brought tears to her eyes.
"Aunnie?" Fili said, pressing his hand into her back while the others made sure everyone had been freed.
"Nuilweyil," Thorin murmured, dropping down beside her, hand pressed to her forehead. "Can you walk?"
"Give me a moment," she replied, grimacing at the after taste and gut wrenching going on within her.
Thorin, gazed at her a moment longer, his dream still fresh within his mind before looking to the others. "Is everyone alright?"
"Aye," Balin said. "I think so."
"Where's Bilbo?" Bofur asked, noticing their missing companion.
"I'm here-!" came the hobbits abruptly cut off cry from the trees above, followed by a yell and branches snapping.
The company stood quickly, Thorin gripping Nuil's arm tightly as they watched the trees warily. Without warning the first spider descended from above, landing on Bombur. With a cry Bofur leaped forward as Bombur fought to keep the spiders pinchers away from his face. Nuil felt Thorin push her to the ground as he drew Orcrist and sliced through the spider that had lunged for her. She rolled away and rose, sluggishly drawing her blade before stabbing another spider darting out of the trees.
They were horribly outnumbered, wherever they turned they met another spider. Dwalin lost his hammer and ended up using his fists to defend himself. Dori and Nori were not far from Ori, ferociously defending their younger brother.
Nuil staggered as she cut into another spider, her legs smarting still with spider venom.
Then the elves came. Descending from the trees as rapidly as the spiders had, finishing off the spiders and surrounding the company before they realized what had happened. Nuil froze as an arrow was pointed at her face, nearly dropping her sword in surprise. A tall, red haired elf approached them, her green eyes studying them closely as she shoved Kili towards them.
"What brings dwarves to our woods?" she demanded.
Thorin raised his chin towards her, stubbornly refusing to answer. The elleths eyes narrowed, flashing dangerously. Nuil shrank away, lowering her gaze to the ground. Mirkwood elves were less wise, and more dangerous than others.
"Speak, dwarves! Your lives are in our hands," she said.
"We were passing through," Balin said suddenly. "Got lost, and ran out of food."
"And why were you passing through?"
"Traveling merchants."
She looked like she wanted to say more but another voice spoke before she did. "What's this? I know your face." Nuil froze, stiffening. She quickly looked down, having made the mistake of looking up. "Tauriel."
Her arm was roughly grabbed and she was brought out of the company, to stand before an even taller elf. The dwarves protested loudly, silenced by arrows pointed at them. A finger lifted her chin to meet the blue gaze of the elf, and Nuil instantly recognized him. Her stomach plummeted.
"Search them," he ordered without looking away from her face. Nuil wanted to run as fast as she could away. Anything to escape the cold stare of the Prince of Mirkwood. Legolas.
The prince only looked away when he was presented with Thorin's blade, Orcrist. A dark look crossed his face before he took it in his hands, eyes suddenly very thoughtful. "This is an elven blade, forged by my ancestors." He looked at the dwarves. "Where did you get this?"
"It was given," Thorin growled.
"Or stolen," Legolas sneered. Thorin curled his lip, a vein in his jaw jumping. "Bind them. We will let the King pass judgement on them."
The were bound roughly with their hands behind their backs, their weapons taken. Anything that the elves thought they might use to escape was taken as well. Gloin cast scathing looks at the prince after Legolas insulted his wife and son. They were led through the trees, pushed along with either a hand or prodding of a bow. Dwalin snarled at any who tried to touch him.
They approached a bridge, spanning across a small ravine. The great doors ahead loomed over them and as they passed through they saw a wide open cavern, criss-crossed with stairs and archways, bridges and paths. Nuil turned to see the great doors slammed shut, barring the outside and locking them inside. Her stomach was in knots, coiling tighter and tighter as they approached the kings throne.
It sat regal and foreboding, surrounded by massive horns. Seated languidly, with his legs crossed and watching them was the King. His crown, twisting branches with red berries woven in gave him a cold air. But it was his eyes, cool, calculating, and deep that truly spoke of his age and perceptiveness. This was Thranduil, King of Mirkwood.
He eyed them, fingers curling around his staff. "What brings thirteen dwarves to my halls?"
"We are weary travelers," Balin said, stepping forward. "We lost our way in the woods, and ran out of food."
Thranduil raised his chin. "That does not answer my question."
" . . . we seek to extend our trade to the people of Dale."
The kings eyes narrowed, his face losing any pleasantness. "I tire of your lies. You speak for you and yours, but you do not speak truths." His gaze shifted over them, and landed on Thorin. "Thorin son of Thrain. It is you who I will deal with, and not your footman."
"We lost our way in the woods. We are starving," Thorin uttered through clenched teeth. Amusement crossed Thranduil's face.
"Did you now?" he said with sarcasm lacing his voice. Legolas approached the king, bowing his head respectfully before speaking in hushed tones. Thranduil's eyes trailed over the dwarves before resting on her. He nodded at Legolas, before looking at her closely.
"It has been many years, daughter of Nolen," he said softly, "since you stole away in the night."
Nuil could feel thirteen pairs of eyes on her, yet all she could think about was the sick feeling in her gut. Stole away was putting it mildly. She clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. Instead of responding she stayed silent, determinedly keeping her gaze on the sharp looking clasp near Thranduil's throat.
"I see that you still have not loosened your tongue. Perhaps your old cell will improve upon it." He smiled at her. Nuil paled, wanting nothing more than to flee, but could not do so. Thranduil straightened. "Take them away. I will speak to their leader alone."
Nuil looked at Thorin, eyes wide as the elves began to lead them away from the throne. She drank in his appearance, knowing that it might be a long time before she saw him again. An elf grabbed her arm leading her after the others, Thorin watching her go. Her last glimpse of him was of Thorin turning to face Thranduil.
"Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand. A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I myself, suspect a much more prosaic motive," Thranduil said once the others were taken away. He looked down at Thorin. "Attempted burglary, or something of that ilk."
Thorin raised his gaze to Thranduil's, glaring. But Thranduil, perceptive as he was, raised his head. "You have found a way in."
"What of it?"
Blind greed tore at Thranduil, his memory drawn back to the days when Thror ruled the mountain. "You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule. A King's jewel. The Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure," Thranduil inclined his head with a smile, "I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help."
Thorin smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. Already his mind burned, anger coursing through him that this elf- wanted the wealth within Erebor. "I am listening."
"I will let you go, if you but return what is mine," Thranduil said, gazing off into his palace.
"A favor for a favor."
Thranduil smiled, "you have my word. One King to another."
Thorin turned away, letting his face turn sour as he looked at the elf kings halls. Anger burned in his chest. He would make no deals with the very being who betrayed them. In his eyes, Thranduil was no better than Smaug. He turned to face the elvenking. "I would not trust, Thranduil, the great King, to only his word. Till the end of all days be upon us!" he spat.
Thranduil blinked in shock.
"You, who lack all honor! I have seen how you treat your friends! We came to you once, starving, homeless; seeking your help. But you turned your back! You, turned away from the suffering of my people and the inferno that destroyed us! Ishkh khakfe andu null!"
Thranduil surged forward, his face at level with Thorin's. "Do not talk to me of dragon fire!" he spat. "I know it's wrath and ruin. I have faced the great serpents of the North." Thranduil shuddered as the left side of his face seemed to melt away, showing a gaping hole in his cheek and burned flesh. He then stepped back and Thorin watched as his face became flawless once more. He felt revulsion towards the elf.
"I warned your grandfather of what his greed would summon, but he would not listen," Thranduil hissed, stepping up to his throne. "You are just like him." Thorin sneered at him. Thranduil waved his hand and two guards grabbed onto Thorin, pulling him away. "Stay here if you will, and rot. A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an elf. I'm patient. I can wait."
Thorin roared as they dragged him away, glaring at the satisfied look on Thranduil's face.
No. This was not the cell they had put her in before. It was worse. While the others had been taken to the main holding cells, Nuil had been taken deeper. Her door, instead of bars, was a heavy wooden door with a small hole near the bottom. She sat in the dark, listening to the sound of rushing water. Dimly she could hear the others above her.
A shadow blocked the small sliver of light near the bottom of her door, alerting her to her captor. Then a tray slid through. Nuil stared at it for a moment, her hunger gone, but stomach empty. She knew she should eat.
The shadow passed and Nuil moved forward, picking up the bread and tearing off a small chunk.
Within moments she had devoured the bread and drunken the water. Nuil sat back against the wall, resting her head on her knees and waited.
The door shut with a bang, Thorin glaring after the elven guard until he disappeared.
"Did he offer you a deal?" Balin asked.
"He did," growled Thorin. "I told him he could go ishkh khakfe andu null. Him and all his kin!"
Balin hung his head and sighed. "Well, that's that deal was our only hope."
Thorin gripped his bars. "Not our only hope."
"The burglar?" Dwalin huffed. Though Thorin could not see him he nodded. Silence descended upon them, until Fili broke it.
"They took Aunnie somewhere below," he said. Thorin stiffened and glared at the wall. Even if Fili could not see his Uncle, the silence was telling enough. Bofur and Gloin saw Thorin's reaction, giving the others knowing looks.
Three weeks passed with not much change. The dwarves were fed, the guards patrolled, and Thorin refused to make a deal. At night, or what they assumed was night, sleep came easy. Except for Thorin. His thoughts were plagued by Thranduil's words.
"You are just like him."
And his dream, meeting Irmo, and the warning.
Was it greed to not want to trust Thranduil? Surely he was justified in refusing the elvenking's offer. Were he any other elf, then he would make the deal. They had not heard from Nuil, and their hope that Bilbo had somehow made it was waning. Thorin grew restless, surely Durin's Day would be upon them soon.
Bilbo crept into the cellar, behind the elf, Elros. The keys hanging from his belt had been what Bilbo had been trying to get ever since he had discovered them. Elros, keeper of the keys approached another elf. Bilbo hid behind a pillar. Not because he would be seen, no he had his ring for that, but to stay out of the way.
Elros and the elf conversed quietly until another elf came down the stairs. He clapped the elf that Elros was speaking with on the back. "Galion, you old rogue! We're running out of drink."
Elros looked towards the empty barrels stacked further in the cellar. He looked at the elf, Galion, "these barrels should have been sent to Esgaroth hours ago. The party have been waiting for them." The newer elf pulled a flask of wine from a shelf, smelling its contents. Galion had sat down at the table. Bilbo stared at the barrels.
Barrels sent to Esgaroth.
His keen eyes spotted a lever near the barrels, and bless him, the sound of water reached his ears. There had to be a river below. The cellar wasn't locked, nor very well guarded.
"Say what you will about our foul tempered king, he has excellent taste in wine. Come, Elros, try it."
"Lethuin, I have the dwarves in my charge," Elros protested.
Lethuin raised his brows, extending the wine flask to Elros. "They're locked up, where can they go?" He took the keys from Elros and hung them on a hook above Bilbo's head. Then he guided Elros to the table and the three elves began to drink together.
Bilbo could not believe his luck. The keys were right above him, it was an opportunity he would never have again. Waiting for the wine to affect the elves he bided his time, before slipping the keys off the hook and hurrying to the cells above. Not only did he have the keys, but he had a way out as well.
The sound of voices reached her ears, before the light from the hall was blocked. Nuil frowned, wondering just what was going on. They had brought her food earlier, and it couldn't be morning yet, could it?
"Nuil!?" came a whisper from the other side. The voices had died down. Nuil scrambled closer to the door.
"Bilbo?" she asked, relief and happiness coursing through her. "I thought you were lost!"
"Not really," Bilbo replied. "Just looking for a way out. Are you alright?"
"Just let the lass out, before we get caught!" came Gloin's disgruntled voice.
"Gloin?"
"We're getting out," said Bilbo. She heard the metallic jingle of keys before the lock in the door gave a click. Moments later the door swung open and Nuil had to shield her eyes from the sudden onslaught of bright light. Then she felt a pair of hands grab her and pull her out of the cell, before crushing her into a tight embrace.
"Mahal, I'm glad you're alright," came Thorin's voice in her ears. Nuil blinked rapidly, adjusting to the light and giving him a slight smile.
"Me too."
Ori stepped into her cell, looking around with wide eyes. "They kept you in here?" His voice held his horror. Bilbo grabbed the dwarfs sleeve and and pushed the door shut.
"We have to hurry, before the guard notices your empty cells!" He urged. Thorin nodded and they continued to follow the hobbit down the stairs. Nuil thought it odd that they were going down instead of up. They entered a room at the bottom, the walls lined with barrels and flasks of red liquid.
"Hurry!"
"I don't believe it! We're in the cellars!" Kili hissed. Bilbo shot the dwarf a frustrated look.
"Quickly into the barrels," he whispered.
"Are you mad?!" Dwalin demanded.
"He's lost it," Bofur said. "We'll be caught for sure."
"Bilbo, are you sure?" Nuil asked skeptically. With a huff, Bilbo stamped his foot, glaring at them all.
"Do you want to get out of here or not?" he snapped. As they stared at the frustrated hobbit the sound of raised voices reached their ears followed by a horn being blown.
"Do as he says," Thorin commanded gruffly. They all followed his order, climbing into barrels before poking their heads back out. Nuil shifted uncertainly beside Bilbo, having noticed that there were only enough barrels for the dwarves. Thorin was frowning, possibly realising this also when Bofur spoke.
"What do we do now?"
Bilbo grabbed the lever. "Hold your breath."
"Hold me breath?" Bofur said confused, looking at the others. "Hold me breath?"
Before the others had a chance to protest, Bilbo pushed the lever and the floor lowered. Gravity kicked in and the barrels were sent rolling into the water below. Had they not been escaping, Nuil might have laughed at the indignant yells. The floor lifted and they were left staring at the empty room. Shouts were getting louder and the elves at the table slowly began to stir.
"Bilbo . . ." she said slowly, grabbing his arm and backing up toward the end of the floor.
The hobbit hummed worriedly, tapping the floor with his feet. "I know what I'm doing," he murmured. "We can just keep-"
The floor began to tilt, Nuil grabbed Bilbo's arm as he toppled back into her. Before they disappeared Nuil saw the elves enter the cellar. Tauriel stood watching them fall, face tight with anger before turning and running up the stairs. Nuil hit the water first, Bilbo right next to her. She came up coughing and spluttering, latching onto the nearest object. Bifur's barrel.
Bofur pulled Bilbo up, the hobbit gazing wide-eyed at everyone. Nuil knew they must look a sight. Then the barrels began to move and Nuil shut her eyes as they floated out of the cave into the morning light. Bifur grabbed Nuil's arms to keep her from letting go or getting knocked off. Behind them a horn sounded as they came around a bend in the river.
Up ahead the gates guarding the river began to close. The first barrel slammed into the gates, and Thorin's voice rose above the sound of the water rushing by them. "No!" For a moment Nuil feared that the elven guards standing on the wall would descend upon them, but to her dismay she watched as the nearest guard collapsed, an arrow through his neck.
Then the orc appeared on the wall.
So, Mirkwood. Elves. I did stick to the movie for some of the parts, mainly because they're my favorite. I know that Legolas and Tauriel come off as . . . unfriendly and I don't show the Kili/Tauriel bonding. But Kili and Tauriel are not main characters, and their story is kinda secondary to Nuil's and Thorin's.
Also the weird dream thing. Sorry if it's confusing. Everything makes sense in my head, but if there are questions feel free to let me know so that I can write/explain it in a chapter better. I'll have Nuil explain her Mirkwood experience in the next chapter, as to why Thranduil recognizes her. I just wanted to get through this chapter, because a lot happens.
Thank you to my reviewer and readers! Hopefully two chapters in two days is a small start to forgiveness.
~filimeala