Ali's bath had been amazing, though it was the first one since Rivendell, so the bar really wasn't set that high. In fact, enough water to pour over her head was the bar. This bath though, oh lord this bath, it was more like a small pool set in the center of the bathroom floor. If this was back home she just knew some over cautious mother would sue over a potential slip and fall.

This world was a whole different ball game. Tauriel had slipped out shortly after they had entered. Muttering something about finding a change of clothes Ali's size, which was not an easy task she was sure. Sure enough when Ali entered her bedroom there was a beautiful purple gown draped across the king sized bed.

Pulling the slip over her head Ali took a moment to hold the satin purple material before folding it carefully. She was grateful for the change of underclothes but opted instead to pull Thorin's heavy tunic on over it. It felt thick, warm, and safe, something that the thin dress would never be able to do.

It was also something that she would need, safety and comfort. During dinner she vowed that she would demand to be released to find Thorin and everyone. Ali paced back and forth, trying her best to run through exactly what she was going to say.

This was her time to stand up for herself. This was the time for her to ride in on a high horse and save the dwarves. This time she was going to be as cool as Batman. Figuratively of course, since she didn't have his money, or ninja skills…or half his intelligence. And just like that her motivational dialogue disintegrated.

"You are not wearing that." Ali spun at the voice coming from the doorway. Tauriel stood with her arms crossed in front of her chest, her voice sounded disinterested and her face mirrored the sentiment. "It smells worse than you looked."

Ah, another hit to the confidence. "I don't feel right without it." Ali crossed her arms as well, throwing her shoulders back, even if she didn't feel confident she could still look like she was.

"Wear the dress tonight and we will have the hideous cloth washed." Tauriel challenged, standing a little straighter.

"No, last time I let my clothes out of my sight while I was staying with elves they stole them." Ali stood as straight as she could, remembering the last time she saw most of her clothes in Rivendell.

Tauriel took a couple steps closer, so that she could better look down on her. Ali's blood was almost boiling, there was nothing wrong with her clothes then and there wasn't anything wrong with them now. Especially not now that she had on Thorin's tunic. She knew when she was being looked down on, and not just because of her size. "Then they did you a favor by throwing them away."

That was it. Ali glanced around Tauriel, the door was close. She could be the bigger person and just walk away. Then Tauriel smirked, which would have been fine if it hadn't been followed with a bit of an eye roll.

"Oh that's a shame, I thought I saw a stick, I was hoping I could throw it for you." Ali smiled as nicely as she could while Tauriel's little smirk slid off her face. A knock interrupted Tauriel before she could open her mouth. "There's someone at the door, I think this is where you're supposed to bark."

"Excuse me, King Thranduil has called for you my lady," an elf woman opened the door without being asked. What was the point of knocking then?

"Alright," Ali skipped around Tauriel, she was feeling pretty good about that comeback.

"It's alright, I will escort her," Tauriel spun around, grabbing Ali's injured shoulder. Oh heavenly stars, it was a good thing she was facing away or Tauriel would have seen Ali's eyes widen at the pain. It was duller now, more of a throbbing sensation, but no less shocking when grabbed un-expectantly. Ali couldn't blame her, it wasn't like she knew her shoulder was hurt, and she wasn't about to tell them.

"As you wish," the elf lady bowed her head and retreated out of the room, leaving the door wide open. No, take me with you, she begged in her mind. Ali didn't want to be left alone with an angry woman she had just insulted.

"Please just put on the dress, there's no way you can sit at my lord's table in that…tunic." Tauriel tried, her voice sounding strained. Who knows, maybe the king would have this woman's head or something. Ali had heard that some kings and queens would do that.

"Fine," Ali sighed, she was too much of a pushover. "Do you swear that this will be here after dinner?" Ali asked, already yanking the belt off the tunic.

"Yes," Tauriel snatched up the purple cloth, holding her other hand out for the tunic.

"Pinky swear?" Ali held out her free hand, pinky extended to the taller woman, who just stared at her.

"What?"

"Pinky swear, it's where you lock your promise in with your pinky. Where I'm from it's the strongest form of swearing possible. It even trumps written contracts." Ali raised her hand even higher. "It's a magical oath, the one who breaks it will have all sorts of rotten luck. Needles in your eyes, your hair will fall out, the incorrect use of your and you're on the internet, and the polite scorn of a Canadian."

"I…I didn't understand the last part, but I'll take my chances. Now hurry." Tauriel grabbed her pinky with her own, held it for an uncomfortable second then released. There might be hope for this lady.

Ali smiled while she slid the purple dress over her head, it was snug around the hips and chest but so was the last one. Even more gingerly than before Ali folded Thorin's blue tunic, laying it softly on the bed. If they stole it she would simply have to tear this castle apart to find it. Tauriel cleared her throat from the doorway, jerking her head to the hall.

Everything seemed to be made from smooth stone or wood, Ali noticed as she jogged behind Tauriel's quick pace. There was only a window or two on their short journey, though she was unable to get a good look out before it was gone.

"Here," Tauriel, stopped before an almost nondescript door.

"That was quick," Ali said as Tauriel pushed through the door.

"Make sure you apologize for being late," she hissed at Ali as they approached the table. Already the king and the blonde haired lady were at the table.

"I was beginning to worry you wouldn't make it," Thranduil didn't look up at them as Tauriel pulled out a seat for Ali. The table seemed unnecessarily long, reaching at least fifty feet across the room. Luckily her seat was at Thranduil's right side as he sat at the head, and the blonde was directly across from her.

"Oh I'm sorry. I was having a bit of difficulties with the dress. Luckily Tauriel was able to help me out." Ali noticed that her chair sat a bit higher than the others, giving her access to the table. She was a little surprised by their thoughtfulness.

"Thank you Tauriel. That will be all." Thranduil waved his hand disinterestedly at Tauriel. His manner of dismissal wiped away any notion of him being thoughtful at all, that was downright rude. "Please eat, you must be famished, I was just being regaled of your rescue in the woods."

Rude or not, he wasn't wrong. Ali was starving, and her plate was already filled so she didn't need to be told twice. In between bites of food she told them about her stay in Rivendell, meeting Galadriel, how she wound up being chased by giant spiders. All the while watching Thranduil's eyebrows, there was just something so unnerving going on there.

"So where are you originally from?" Thranduil droned, sounding as disinterested as ever. Perhaps it was because his eyebrows were so dark?

"I'm from a place pretty far away. It's definitely different than here." Ali put her fork on her empty plate. Was it rude to ask for seconds here?

"How old are you?" Thranduil continued.

"What? I'm 20." Ali looked over to the blonde lady, but she seemed more interested with pushing the food around her plate.

"I thought you would be older," Thranduil pushed his plate away.

"Do I look old?" Ali touched her face. She hadn't actually looked in a mirror recently, what if she had grey hair or wrinkles?!

"Of course not, looks have nothing to do with age my lady." Each plate was cleared from the table at the same time by three different elves. This was like the best fine dining service ever.

"When can we go look for the dwarves?" Ali blurted out suddenly, and by the looks of it she didn't surprise anyone but herself.

"I have a team of my best trackers in the forest now," Thranduil sat back in his chair and actually smiled at her for the first time since she sat. Ali didn't know what to say, she was expecting to have to argue or something.

"Can I go out and help? I feel so useless sitting here," Ali mumbled.

"I'm afraid not, I think it would be wise for you to stay here, as you experienced earlier, the forests can be quite dangerous. It would be best for you await their arrival. I'm sure if they care as much about you as you do about them, then they would prefer you stay safe." Thranduil motioned to one of the elves who were standing off in the shadows. "Come now. Let us retire to the lounge where we can continue to talk."

Ali followed the two tall blonde elves out of the room, allowing her mind to wander for a second. Thranduil was right, if Thorin knew that she willingly wandered back out into the spider infested forest, he would be upset. Would he be surprised? Probably not, or perhaps he might. Ali hoped Thorin didn't think she was mad because of their little fight. She had overreacted. None of this would have happened if she just hadn't run away.

The room they entered was lit gently by a crackling fire, soft arm chairs sat modestly close to the heat, the walls lined with books.

"Please sit," Thranduil motioned to the chair closest the fire, then turned to one of the elves that had followed them in. "You can leave us we will not require your service tonight."

Ali hopped into the chair, suddenly being alone with these two made her more uncomfortable than Thranduil's eyebrows. The blonde lady sat silently in her chair, at this point Ali was too embarrassed to ask her for her name.

"How much do you know about the Veil Ali?" Thranduil asked, standing by the window. Ali's blood turned to ice at the question. How did he know about the veil? How could he know that she knew?

"I…I know that brides wear them…" That cover up was as smooth as an old country road.

"Let's not play games. While I don't know exactly who you are, I know what you are." Thranduil continued to stare out the dark window his arms clasped loosely behind his back, the lady finally picked up her head and looked at Ali.

"I'm not playing any games, games are fun, this isn't fun." Ali stuttered over her words. This wasn't even something she had talked to Thorin about. She didn't want to have this conversation with Thranduil.

"Galadriel didn't really explain too much about the Veil, did she?" Thranduil finally turned to her, his gaze felt like he already knew what she was about to say.

"You know Galadriel?" Ali asked, Thranduil nodded.

"Ali, I want to help you," Thranduil quickly sat in the chair across from her, never breaking eye contact. "I can answer all of your questions, help you understand what the Veil is. You just need to trust me."

Ali opened her mouth to protest, and then closed it. What if he was telling her the truth? The more Ali thought about it, the more she realized what she didn't know about the Veil.

"I'm really tired. Can I go to my room?" Ali asked suddenly. She needed time to think about this, weigh out the pro's and con's, just generally give herself a moment without Mr. Eyebrows watching her.

"Of course, we can talk about this tomorrow. Sleep well Ali." If Thranduil was upset then he didn't show it in the least. Ali made a mental note to never play poker with an elf. "Legolas, please show her back to her room."

Ali stood with the blonde, already ready to be rushing for the door. Then she stopped, did he just call the elf lady… Legolas…so then it didn't mean…then she might not be…crap. Sure enough the blonde exited the room first, her jaw tight, or his jaw tight. Why did the men and women look so similar? It was like one of those horrible guesses you take on whether the lady is pregnant or just fat. Chances are that you're gonna insult them either way.

"So your name is Legolas?" Ali tried.

"I'm not a woman," Legolas spoke to her for the first time, curtly, but not rude. Ali couldn't even blame him for being offended.

"Look I'm sorry, I just misheard your name yesterday, then things spiraled from there." Ali apologized, jogging behind him as he was already throwing her door open.

"Good night, I will see you tomorrow Sir." It was a passive aggressive pass if nothing else. Ali bit her lip and nodded as she walked in her room.

"I deserved that," she said to herself as her door slammed shut.

Thorin trudged willingly but angrily between two elvish guards. At long last Thranduil had summoned him. Normally he would be furious at being made to wait, this time he wished only to know why he had waited. Surely something had happened recently. Thranduil hardly seemed the type to just neglect prisoners.

As they entered the platform Thranduil sat at his throne, examining something in his lap.

"Good evening Thorin," Thranduil finally looked up, leaning back he crossed one leg and something blue slid across his lap.

"What do you want?" Thorin snapped. Get to the point already.

"As rude as usual I see. Very well, I shall be direct. After collecting you and your company two of my guards tracked a fourteenth member of your party farther into the woods. They have been searching but were unable to find him." Thranduil stared down at Thorin. His eye's betraying no hint of emotion. "They did however locate this near one of the spider's nests."

Thranduil pulled the blue cloth out of his lap, dangling it from his long fingers as if it were dirty. And it was, the fabric was stained with large dark spots. It took a moment before Thorin recognized the material. It was his tunic, the one that he had given Ali. Thorin's mouth went dry, he was unable to speak.

Ali wasn't dead. If she were then he would know. He would feel it like he did before. That's how this connection worked. At least he was a little sure of that. That didn't change the fact that she was hurt, she was hurt again because of him.

"I have called off the search. No doubt your man is dead. On to more important business, what are you doing in my forest?" Thranduil droned.

"No," Thorin's heart jolted, "don't call off the search, she isn't dead." Thorin didn't want to say that. He wanted to escape and search for her himself, but that wasn't a possibility right now. Elvish scum or not, this kingdom was safer than the forest.

"She?" One of Thranduil's eyebrows rose, apparently somewhat interested. That was it, just find her and bring her to safety. "What is this woman to you?"

"She…she's just one of my company, a small human woman, not worth much, but one of mine none the less." Thorin hardened his voice, trying not to let his feelings show. He didn't need for them to use their relationship against him.

"How do you know this human is still alive?"

"I just know," Thorin growled up at the elf's uncaring expression.

"Take him back, we will speak another day," Thranduil flicked his hand at Thorin, dismissing him. Bile surged in his throat, the urge to yell hateful words rose strong but he bit them back.

As he was lead back down the path he couldn't help but feel as if something was going on. The image of the bloody tunic invaded his mind, squashing his anger with fear. If something had happened to her then he would have felt it he kept telling himself. He definitely would have felt it.

"I don't understand what that was about," Legolas fell in place with his father as they trekked back to the study.

"Of course you don't," Thranduil had set the pace slow, he was thinking deeply about something.

"What was the point of lying about Ali?" Legolas watched his father, but his face remained smooth and calm. He did his best to keep his emotions from his face as well. "You did not gain anything from that interaction."

"Really Legolas," Thranduil turned smoothly into his study. "Do you really believe I would waste my time without purpose?"

Legolas hung back by the door as Thranduil glided around the large room. He knew that his father had more to say. Else he would have sent Legolas away already. It was just a matter of asking the right questions. He wanted to sigh but checked himself. Why couldn't his father just be upfront for once?

"What, my lord, did you gain?" Legolas watched as Thranduil paced in the moonlight.

"Knowledge, my son," Thranduil stopped, turning to face Legolas.

Legolas clenched his jaw, he loved his father, but sometime talking to him was tiring. "What knowledge did you gain?"

"I learned what Ali's attachment is with the dwarves. I'm surprised you couldn't tell. Ali is Thorin Oakenshield's one. Interesting, yes? As well as unfortunate if she returns the feelings." Thranduil turned to stare out his window, perhaps lost in thought, perhaps waiting for Legolas to ask the right questions.

"What would you like me to do," Legolas asked, though he didn't know if he wanted to hear his answer.

"Somehow we need to separate Oakenshield and Ali. Convince Ali to stay here, I will not lose this power." Thranduil looked out the window and spoke as if he was conversing about the weather and not destroying a relationship. Legolas's mind flashed to Tauriel. It seemed as if he was against love.

"When will you tell me what power you are referring to?" Legolas questioned.

"Very soon, have patience." Thranduil turned his back entirely, dismissing Legolas.

Yay! Made it all the way to chapter 20!

I'm trying to slow things down and get a bit more in depth

Thanks to everyone who has read this far!

Muah!