Brann chuckled as she looked at the keys hanging above her head. Bilbo frowned and pushed his hands against his hips.

'Is that a reason for amusement?' he asked sourly.

Brann grinned and looked down at the angry hobbit. 'Indeed, it is, master hobbit, but I apologise for the amusement on your behalf.'

Bilbo could not be angry at the beautiful lady, so he sighed and looked up at the keys again.

'Obviously, I need a hand to get the keys.' he remarked dryly.

'Master hobbit, I am aware of your problem.' Brann smirked. 'But I am a mere presence, I cannot hand you down the keys.'

'But maybe you can...lift me up.' Bilbo asked shyly.

Brann cocked her eyebrows. Bilbo was drifting between the worlds like she was, maybe this could work. And apparently he could still touch things. He still had a connection to the world of the living, while she was doomed to be trapped on the other side.

'Alright.' Brann grabbed the hobbit under the arms and met solid flesh. She lifted him a little to test their plan. 'It seems that this might work.'

Brann lifted Bilbo up and the hobbit grabbed the keys. Both froze as the keys shattered together, but the elven guards were too drunk to hear it. Brann almost pitied the guards for the problems they would get into if the dwarves would escape.

Bilbo grabbed the keys so that they could not shatter and hurried towards the cells. Brann followed him quickly with one last glance behind her. There were thirteen empty barrels, ready above a ramp...and Brann smiled. She knew what the hobbit planned and she knew that the dwarves would not like it.

#

'Did you know Thranduils wife?' Belladonna asked her father.

Thorin shook his head and pressed his lips against his daughter's forehead. 'She must have died long ago, maybe in childbirth. I was told that neither one of my kin has ever seen her.'

'She must have been pretty and warmhearted.' Belladonna murmured.

'Why do you think that?' Thorin wanted to know.

'The blonde elf, the one who captured us...he is Thranduils son. He is quite pretty and I think he has inherited his looks from his mothers side.' Belladonna remarked dryly. 'He looks fine for bare faced elvish princeling...as for the queens warmth...if her death has destroyed Thranduils heart, then she must have been very dear to him. Like amad was to you. I think that her death would have destroyed you, too, if Gandalf had not linked her soul to you. I pity Thranduil. And I am afraid for you. If amad will ever be seperated from you, will your heart turn to ice, too?'

Thorin closed his eyes in defeat. He had thought about such a fate several times already. But Brann was still with him and he had three wonderful daughters who kept him alive.

'I have Zial, Gwen and you. As well as Dis, Fili and Kili.' Thorin answered.

'Thranduil has a son.' Belladonna sighed. 'Maybe children are not enough.'

'Children are everything. They are our future.' Thorin insisted. 'In his grief, Thranfuil forgot. But I hope that he will remember before the end.'

Belladonna rested against her fathers shoulder as she heard a metallic noise. She jumped as Bilbo appeared in front of their cell and help up the keys.

'Bilbo!' Belladonna exclaimed and rushed to the cell door.

The other dwarves began shouting as well, but the hobbit bid them to be quiet.

'Be quiet! There are guards nearby!' Bilbo scolded them. He smiled at Belladonna as he opened her door and rushed towards the others. Thorin emerged from the cell behind his daughter and looked at the hobbit in astonishment.

Fili and Kili were already rushing to the upper levels when Bilbo held them back.

'No, we have to go down. Hurry!' Bilbo ran down and Belladonna was the first to follow him. She frowned deeply as she realised that Bilbo had led them into a cellar.

'Bilbo! This is a cellar, how are we supposed to get out?' Belladonna whispered and looked at the hobbit with a frown.

'Your mother thought that it would be Thorin who would yell at me for leading you into a cellar.' Bilbo remarked, but then he bit his lip. He did not know that Belladonna knew of her mother's presence. And she did not know about the ring. He cursed himself, but Belladonna only looked at him in surprise.

'You can talk to her? How?' she asked, but Bilbo pushed her forward towards the barrels.

'Please, you have to trust me.' Bilbo told the dwarves. 'Get into the barrels!'

'Are you mad?' Bofur looked back and forth between the barrels and the hobbit. 'Besides, there are only thirteen, we are two barrels short.'

'I know!' Bilbo sighed. 'I will find another way to get out and one of you will have to hold on to one of the barrels.'

'Here is a half empty barrel!' Fili whispered and pointed to a barrel near to two sleeping guards. 'Its too heavy...'

Fili and Kili managed to drag the barrel down to the others and emtpied it without wasting any thought about the good wine. Bilbo winced, but he also turned around to the stairway nervously.

'Now, we only need one more!' Kili exclaimed. 'Uncle, there is one behind you!'

Thorin turned around, but jumped as he heard Branns voice.

There is no time, you have to leave now!

Thorin could hear elvish curses above them and turned to the company. 'We have no time, they noticed the empty cells! Into the barrels, quick!'

Belladonna wanted to pull Bilbo into a barrel with her, the two of them being the smallest, but the hobbit shook his head.

'I will find another way out. Someone needs to open the ramp into the river.' Bilbo told her and winced as her heard heavy footsteps above them. 'Hurry!'

'We will not leave you behind, Bilbo!' Belladonna grabbed his wrist, but the hobbit only smiled.

'Your mother told me that you would say that. I will tell you everything later, but now you have to go!' Bilbo had the feeling that Belladonna knew that her mother was still around, so he did not hold back.

Belladonna sunk into the barrel as Bilbo mentionned her mother and bit her lip. She believed him and she could see the urgency in his actions.

'Hold your breath!' Bilbo shouted and pushed a big wooden handle.

'Wait a minute...did he say river?' Kili exclaimed, but in the same moment the hatch opened and the barrels rolled down into the river in a big splash. Bilbo winced as he heard the dwarves scream and shout, but the door closed immediately as the last barrel had passed it, swallowing the noise.

#

'Ewwwwww, water...cold...yuck!' Kili complained and made Fili chuckle.

'We are out of that cursed elven castle, be grateful. Or do you already miss your little red hair?' Fili whispered, but Thorin heard them nevertheless.

'You can forget about courting something like an elf as long as I live, Kili!' Thorin roared.

'Good thing he is old, then.' Kili muttered, but his words echoed in the big cave.

'Kili!' Thorin growled, but Belladonna interrupted the merry quarrel.

'Bilbo! Adad, we have to wait for Bilbo!' Belladonna yelled at her father whose barrel was in front of the row.

'We cannot wait any longer!' Thorin frowned and looked up to the closed ramp. He did not want to leave the burglar behind, but they lost precious time. He looked at Kili and Belladonna and rolled his eyes. Great, now he had two young dwarves with heartache. Good thing he was old, then. He was about to let go of the rock he held on to as Branns voice stopped him.

Bilbo saved your stubborn dwarven behinds, you will wait...Brann sounded angry and Thorin winced. And there he came.

The hatch opened and the hobbit came stumbling out of it, landing in the water with a big splash. Nori pulled him up and the hobbit clung to the side of the barrel.

'Well done, master hobbit!' Thorin smiled at the company's burglar and let go of the rock he had held on to. The barrels moved down the stream in frightening speed. Belladonna held on for dear life and sighed in relief as she saw the gates of the elven kingdom behind the next treeline. She was about to cheer as the sound of a horn came to their ears. The elven guards at the gate noticed the dwarves in the barrels and closed the gate only moments before the first barrel could pass.

Belladonna was in the last barrel which reached the gate. She saw the elves point their weapons at them, but then one of them cried out in pain and fell into the river with an arrow in his back. Orcs came crawling over the gate and overpowered the few surprised elven guards. Belladonna watched in horror as the elves died and ducked as the first orc came for her. Thorin could not see his daughter's situation, for his barrel was stuck in front of the line, pressed against the closed gate by the stream. But he could hear his wife scream for their daughter. It nearly drove him mad.

Dwalin, Fili and Kili managed to fight back some orcs and took their weapons. Kili jumped out of his barrel and went for the handle which opened the gate. Belladonna watched him run and shook her head. Dis was right, Kili was reckless. But he was their only hope for an escape. Belladonna could see a shining blue blade cut down another orc who had gone for her, as Fili cried out for his brother. Kili had been hit by an arrow before he could reach the handle. Belladonna met her fathers gaze in horror. Kili...

Brann watched in despair as the company was about to be torn apart by the filthy orcs as she noticed some swift movements coming near. The captain of the guard was the first who reached the gate and she saved Kili from being slain by an orc. Her arrows hit the orcs with deadly precision and the attention of the orc leader was now fixed on her. He did not notice the elven prince and some guards who attacked the orc' s flank. Brann had never seen an archer as good as the elven prince. She had to force herself to move and to stay with her family. She could hear Kili cry out and saw him jump into one of the barrels. He had managed to open the gate, but the arrow broke apart as he jumped into the barrel. Brann could nearly feel his pain. But his cry had not only reached her ears. The red haired she elf turned around as she heard him cry out and she did not see the orc who charged at her. Brann gasped and concentrated on the filthy creature. She managed to hit him with a forceful wind which pushed it out of balance. This was enough to make him miss the elf's head and Tauriel quickly focused back to the orcs around her while cursing. Brann disliked the Mirkwood elves greatly, but this one had saved her nephew and she would not let anything happen to her of she could prevent it. Brann gasped as she realised that the company was long gone. The elves followed quickly, but Brann could not even sense her family's presence anymore. Crying out in despair, Brann followed Tauriel to the place where the elves had lost the company out of their sight. If she concentrated, she would find them again, but Brann was distracted. Tauriel had taken a prisoner, a prisoner who would be questionned by the king himself. Brann was torn between curiousity and the will to find her family again. She needed to know how Kili was doing. It had been an arrow to the leg, he would survive. So Brann followed the elves back to the fortress.

#

What Brann learned in Thranduils palace made her feel sick. Kili was about to die and a dark force was threatening all of Middle Earth. And the elven king would sit back and do nothing. Brann hated Thranduil with all her heart and for once she could understand Thorins hatred for elves. But she would not make the same mistake and condemn a whole race for the dishonor of one. Thorins queen was about to search for her familiy's presence as the elven prince caught her attention. After his father had left the throne room, the prince kneeled down in front of the throne and picked something up. Brann saw the broken necklace in his hands and clenched her teeth. Thranduil had tried to break her husband. She would have her revenge.

But now, she had to find her family. Thorin was probably already worrying where she was. Brann sat down on Thranduils throne and tried to concentrate. Curse that elf! She needed her husband, her insufferable, warm hearted and lovable husband. Brann closed her eyes and leaned back. She searched for her husband and felt his presence grow stronger with every moment. She felt his anger and his worries as if they were her own feelings. But there was more. Branns heart jerked in her chest as she felt his pain and his annoyance. He felt responsible for all what had happened. He worried for Kili, who was not feeling well and grew weaker with every minute. Thorin was scared and he hid his feelings behind a mask of arrogance. Brann could feel how her husband shielded his heart against...against what?

'I have the only right.' Brann heard Thorins hoarse voice that sent shivers down her spine. But there was something in his tone that scared her. The world around her lost its blur and Brann blinked. She looked around and found herself in the middle of a town of men. The men stood in front of a large wooden building and Thorin had faced one of them. The man was tall, dark and looked at Thorin in worry. Thorin glared back in fury and Brann was sure that she had missed something important. She looked at Belladonna, who stood beside Bilbo. Her daughter looked surprised and watched her father in awe. He had turned into the king under the mountain again and his aura was intimidating and majestic. It had been a long time since Belladonna had seen her father like this. The last time he had appeared like this was with her mother at his side. After Branns death, Thorin had of course stayed king, but he had not shown any of his power and might openly.

Now, Thorin was standing before all of these men as the impressive and proud dwarven king he truly was. He spoke of the old times and of peace and plenty. He spoke of a bright future and prosperity for all who supported him and his quest. The men of Laketown cheered and celebrated and Thorin and his company were invited to eat and drink. The mayor of Laketown was generous, but Brann knew that he only supported her husband out of greed. She could see it in his eyes. Thorin must have seen it, too, because he eyed the mayor cautiously. Belladonna sat together with Fili and Kili, but she focused on Kili. The young dwarf was pale and was shivering with a fever. Brann cursed and remembered the orcs words in Mirkwood. Kili would die of this wound.

Thorin! Brann whispered. Thorin!

Thorin jerked slightly and excused himself from the table. The mayor had served them wine, ale and sherry. Food was also there, but the dwarves and men concentrated on the alcohol. Even Thorin, who was a steadfast drinker, was walking on shaking legs. He walked out into the cold and winced as the fresh air filled his lungs. He could feel the alcohol rushing in his veins and felt dizzy.

Thorin! Brann whispered again and made Thorin smirk.

'Why are you whispering, I am the only one who can hear you.' Thorins whispered back.

Brann smiled at her drunk husband. He had not been this humerous in a long time. But she had to tell him what she knew.

Thorin, its about Kili. He is hurt badly. He will die. Brann was about to explain as Thorin shook his head.

'Kili is strong. Its only a flesh wound and its his leg. He will not die unless the arrow was...' Thorin paled. His mind was clear within a moment. '...poisoned.'

It was a morgul arrow. He will fade and die if he gets no help.

Brann frowned. She knew that the only one who could help Kili was an elven healer. Even Oin and the human healers would not be able to treat such a wound. Her mother had seen such a wound once, but the man had died below her hands. Brann had been only six, but she remembered the cries and the agony of the wounded. The man had been a merchant and his caravan had been attacked by rogue orcs. He had died in agony and pain, alone and in grief, for his family had already been slaughteed by the orcs.

The only thing Brann knew, was that kingsfoil might lower the fever, but it would not be enough.

Thorin blinked twice before he rushed back to the mayor's house. Brann hurried to follow and as she entered the dining room, she watched Thorin talk to the mayor. But the man was already heavily drunk and did not understand a word Thorin was saying. The dwarven king shook his head and walked to his daughter and nephews. He talked to Fili and Belladonna, who nodded instantly and helped Kili to stand up. They quickly walked out and Thorin walked over to Oin, who sat together with the brothers Ri and Gloin. Thorin paused shortly and Brann knew what problem he faced. How could he tell Oin about the nature of the wound? The old healer did not know that Thorin could still talk to his dead wife and he would start asking questions. But Thorin shook his head in determination. He was king and he would not have to answer himself to anyone, not even his company. Brann rushed after her daughter and her nephews and walked with them until they reached a small house. The man who had challenged her husband opened the door. As he saw the dwarves, he tried to slam the door shut.

'No. I had enough of dwarves for one day.' he stated bitterly, but Belladonna stopped the door with her foot.

'Please, master Bard, my cousin is hurt. He has a fever and the others are too drunk to help!' Belladonna pleaded and Brann frowned. Whatever experience this man had made with dwarves, it had not been a good one. But he seemed to have a heart. In the meantime, Kili had started to fall in and out of consciousness and he was deadly pale. Even a person with no healing capabilities could see that he was fighting death.

'Come in.' Bard invited them in and waved to Thorin, Oin and Bilbo, who had followed. 'What happened? He was fine this morning.'

Belladonna, Fili and Kili looked at each other insecurely. They did not know how to explain their situation. Bard frowned about their secrecy.

'This is not the time for distrust! You came to me for help, now tell me what happened!' he snarled.

'We trust you, master Bard, you have already helped us more than anyone else in this town.' Belladonna tried to assure him, but the man was angry.

'I would never have supported your quest. You will only bring death and despair upon us.' Bard stated, but he was interrupted by Thorin.

'You predict nothing but darkness and despair, but you are blind to the good of this quest.' he growled.

Brann threw her hands in the air and gasped. For goodness sake, Thorin!

But Thorin held up his hand to stop her, as well as Bard who looked thunderous. 'I know that we have our differences, but I ask you to help my nephew. Despite our...differences, I trust you with my family. I have no other choice, really.' Thorin added dryly and earned a sad laugh from Bard.

Who are you and what did you do to my husband? Brann stared at Thorin is awe. The king was back.

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