Thranduil had been right about the walk seeming longer than any other walk they had done. The Woodland Realm took forever to appear. So much so that Bilbo contemplated falling to the floor with overdramatic flourishes as he, Frodo, and the Elvenking finally entered the Elven grounds. Never in his whole life did he think he'd be so happy to see these elves.

"Where is Legolas?" Thranduil asked the first elf he saw.

The fair-skinned elf with long brown hair did not look twice at the two hobbits.. or perhaps he did not notice them. They were probably children to his eyes. "In Erebor, sire. Prince Kili's awake."

Bilbo took a double-take. He gripped Frodo's shoulder tightly and frowned. He piped up. "Prince Kili?"

Thranduil's face remained guarded but he glanced in the hobbits' direction. His eyes flitted over their forms and returned to the elf who spoke to him. He gave a slight incline of his head and the two moved down the hall away from the nosy hobbit. Then in a hushed voice, he inquired, "He lived?"

"Elidyr was able to save him." He seemed sure then he grew hesitant. "Legolas has been in Erebor a lot, sire." But Thranduil did not question it like the elf thought he would. So he continued, "Says he has business there. And King Thorin has returned."

A thin smile curled the Elvenking's lips. He nodded. "I see. Well, get my horse. I must go there at once. I will finally have my chat with that king."

"What about me?" Bilbo asked when he caught the end of Thranduil's words.

The tall blonde looked down at him. "You'll be staying here," he said as if it were clear as day that the little hobbit would not be joining him.

The hobbit blanched, surely the elf wasn't serious. He had just travelled all the way from the Shire to reunite with said dwarf king! "Why? He is my husband. Why can't I see him?"

"You'll only serve as a distraction," Thranduil said dismissively. "I need Thorin Oakenshield to comply with me and bringing you would only heighten his hatred of me." He looked down at Bilbo. "He would think I have stolen you."

Bilbo tried to reason. "Well, when do you think I can return?"

"When all this madness is over." He looked at the hobbits, both of which looked dejected. "Oh, don't pity yourself. Your oaf of a dwarf is stubborn but not that stubborn."

"You don't know him," Bilbo countered.

Thranduil smirked. "Don't I? I have seen many things in my lifetime, Mister Baggins."

He motioned the elf he was just speaking to. "Lithnyr, show these two to their guest chamber and set guards at their quarters. They are not allowed to leave the realm." His voice was calm and firm. "If they attempt, lock them in the dungeons."

The elf gave a short bow of his head. "Yes, sir." He turned to Bilbo and Frodo. "Come hobbits."

Bilbo's hand tightened around Frodo's shoulders as he reluctantly followed the elf. He glanced back at Thranduil who had started off in the opposite direction, no doubt going to pay Thorin a visit- He muttered under his breath. He was going to get to the bottom of whatever was going on here.

"Why must we stay here?" he repeated, this time trying to pester this Lithnyr elf to let them go free.

"My King Thranduil is a smart man, Bilbo Baggins. It is best not to question his actions."

Frodo tugged on Bilbo's waistcoat. His eyes big and hopeful. "Will we ever get to see Uncle Thorin again?"

"Yes, we will Frodo." He assured him.

They were meters from the gates of the Woodland Realm when Frodo's ears shivered. A rustle to the leaves just beside him startled him and he clung deathly to Bilbo who was not at all pleased.

"For goodness sake Frodo! You were fine on the way here! What has gotten into you?"

Then Bilbo heard what had Frodo so clingy. He scoffed and brushed off the boy. "It's probably nothing but a poor cub of some sort. Come on, it's not going to hurt you. Let go of me."

"King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm, my lord," Mycrof announced in the doorway of the throne room. "And Prince Legolas."

Fili looked up at the announcement. He briefly sent Legolas a kind smile before his face turned reluctant as he watched Thorin angrily rise to his feet.

"You?!" Thorin growled. He was prepared to charge - to physically drive the Elvenking from the room. "What are you doing here? Come to see the damage done to my precious kingdom in your absence?"

Thranduil looked smug. "I hear it was you who left first. Going away and never uttering a word until you unceremoniously show up on Erebor's doorstep by your lonesome with no pesky hobbit in tow-"

"Do not speak of him," Thorin threatened.

Fili stepped into place beside his uncle. "King Thranduil, what an honor. Legolas had just mentioned that you had returned to Mirkwood." He ignored Thorin's abrupt and incredulous turn in the corner of his eye. "What is in you need?"

"I have come to speak with King Thorin." He looked to said dwarf. "I wish to resolve the age old quarrel between our kingdoms. I offer you truce and peace in these times of uncertainty."

"Times of uncertainty?" Thorin growled.

Thranduil looked unfazed. "Yes, there is still a price on your head, Thorin Oakenshield. Perhaps your numerous near death experiences have not made you realize that."

"And what have you to offer besides your half-hearted apology?"

Thranduil held out a brooch. "Like your Arkenstone, this is a sacred jewel to my people. It brings protection to those who wear it. I am freely giving it to you under the condition you wear it always."

Thorin sneered. "Why do you care if I live or die?"

"I do not, but there are others here who need a king. For example, your kingdom, your family, your hobbit." He extended his hand, palm open to Thorin who looked defensive. "Trust when I say this evil will stop at nothing to ensure your head is mounted on a spike."

The dwarf king's lip curled in protest.

Fili argued. "Thorin, take it. Accept their help."

But he refused to listen. "I am not going to take some pansy diamond from a miserable elf who should have died in dragon fire long ago!"

"For Aule's sake, Thorin!" Fili took the brooch and held it close to his uncle's face. "Enough with your pathetic insults! We must work together to defeat this evil! What does it matter that they have a better grasp on the situation than you do? Take their help! Otherwise if Bilbo ever returns, you will be long dead from your dimwitted selfishness!"

Thorin snarled. "You've been speaking to them? You've been giving them vital information about me and what has been happening, haven't you?" He gripped Fili's coat. "Have you forgotten that we dwarves are a secret folk? We do not go around begging others for help! We fight our battles on our own!"

Fili bit his tongue at that. He remembered the battle of five armies.

"Thorin, there are matters we cannot hide," he argued firmly. "We need them. Whether you like it or not. Take the brooch."

"No." He stood his ground. He sneered at the Elvenking, "Your disgusting apologies are lies unless you can tell me this: where were you when Smaug attacked-"

"Thorin-" Fili pressed firmly.

But Thranduil could hold his own too. "That happened over a century ago. I'm sure we have all moved past it. After all, it was the stupidity and ignorance of your father and grandfather that brought the dragon to Erebor in the first place."

Thorin made to step forward with more threats.

Fili snapped. "Stop it. I've had enough of this family!" He shoved the brooch into Thorin's hands. "Take it. Take it or I challenge you to fight to the death for the throne!"

Thranduil and Legolas exchanged looks.

The dwarf king's mouth parted for a mere second in disbelief before he quickly recovered. His jaw clenched and his eyes were hard, his mouth was set in a firm and irate line. He glared long and hard at Fili until the blond's blue eyes couldn't be beat.

With a grimace and a growl, he tucked the brooch in his cloak's inside pocket.

Fili turned to their guests. "Thank you, King Thranduil and Prince Legolas. Your help is most appreciated. Mycrof, will you show them out," he managed in a calm-ish voice.

Thranduil and Legolas inclined their heads respectfully at the reasonable Durin.

Thorin waited for the heavy doors to close behind them before he spoke. His tone was dripping with hatred. "The elves think they're onto something. They think they have a plan to hoodwink me into taking part in this mischief. Ha! I have sent a raven to the Iron Hills demanding Dain show himself."

Fili grew tired of his uncle's hatred for the elves and Thranduil and every being who does not openly agree with him. "So you believe Thranduil of some sense?"

"No. I wish to prove him wrong."