Right, this beauty is adopted from the wonderful WriterGirl1198, all work in this chapter belongs to her :)

R&R x

Disclaimer - I don't own anything, anything recognizable belonging to The Hobbit or anything else from LOTR is Tolkien's and the original characters, Cuilwen Morwen Thranduileth, along with her mother, Queen Tawariell and a few assorted others belong to WriterGirl1198

Chapter One

*Cuilwen's POV*

I ran through the halls of the palace, darting around those who stood in my way. Being as short as a Dwarf with the grace of an Elf definitely has its advantages. My brother always said that I looked exactly like our mother. That is one reason Ada cannot stand to look upon me.

At any rate, Legolas was taking a patrol out, and I had no desire to be left behind in the caverns. That is why I was running, quiver and knives strapped to my back, my bow in my hand, strung and ready for battle. Soon I came in sight of my brother and his men.

"Legolas!" I called to him. He turned to face me, a grim look on his face.

"No, Nary," he said before I could even ask. "Not today. Today you must remain here, in safety."

"Safety?" I said derisively. "There is no safety here, not for me. Soon there will not be a haven for anyone if evil is not kept in check. You need me for this," I pleaded with him silently, begging him to agree. He appeared to consider for a moment, and hope flared in my chest. Then he shook his head decisively, and the small flame was extinguished as quickly as it had begun.

"No, Nary," he said. "I love you too much to risk your life against the spiders," He embraced me swiftly and kissed my forehead. After a moment, he released me, striding silently back to his men.

I watched them march silently out of the caverns, the magic Front Gate sealing after them.

About an hour later, I heard the Front Gate being opened once again. I had changed clothes since my brother's departure, in order to look like a respectable lady. It was a sheer, flowing, pale green overpiece, under which I wore a simple shift of white silk. My hair was braided back from my face in a simple style.

I had no tiara, no circlet to signify my royal status. I had no jewelry, save one piece only. It was a necklace that my mother had once worn, and that Legolas had saved for me. It was in the shape of a small flower, the chain and setting made of mithril. The petals were made from small pieces of iridescent opal. The center was a small, perfectly cut emerald, and in between each of the petals was another tiny emerald.

When I heard the gate open, I picked up my skirts and ran to the throne room. Just before I got there, I slowed down, smoothed my skirts, and entered gracefully. With the lack of jewelry, I was able to blend into the crowd which was gathering. I made my way to the front, and was able to see everything that occurred.

My brother stood beside our father's throne. His men stood before the dais, weapons at the ready. I looked closer and saw that they were surrounding a group of thirteen Dwarves.

The Dwarves were of all shapes and sizes. Most looked rather frightening, while one looked rather young. There were three who looked similar, and were rather handsome. One of those three, the tallest of all the thirteen, had a commanding air about him. I guessed him to be the leader.

"What business brings you and your folk to my realm?" Ada asked sternly, gazing solemnly upon the company.

"We came to beg," the tallest responded. "Because we were starving."

"What were you doing in Eryn Lasgalen?" Ada tried again.

"Looking for food and drink, because we were starving."

"But what brought you into the forest in the first place?" Ada asked him angrily.

At that, the Dwarf shut his mouth and would not say another word. His kin followed his example.

"Very well," Ada said. "Take them to the dungeons, separate cell blocks, until they feel inclined to tell the truth, even if they wait a hundred years."

With that, they were taken away. The leader and the two young ones who resembled him fought the guards, reaching for each other and shouting each other's names. I realized that they must be related. Perhaps the two younger were the sons of the leader. The others struggled as well, all reaching and calling for someone.

I must admit, however, that something about the leader drew and captured my attention. He noticed me watching him. Though he seemed too proud to beg, his eyes pleaded with me to act, to do something, anything.

A lump grew in my throat, and I lowered my head in shame as tears appeared in my eyes. My father was so wrong to do this, but I was powerless to stop him.

At length, all the Dwarves were taken away and the crowd dispersed, leaving only Legolas, Ada, and myself.

"You may leave us, Morwen," our father said coldly.

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at my brother. He looked at me sadly, and I knew he could see the pain Ada's detachment caused me.

When no move was made from either of them, I bowed my head so as not to show my grief.

"Yes, Father," I whispered, lifting my eyes to gaze at him for a moment. I let them drop again and turning, left the throne room.

I wandered aimlessly, not caring where my feet took me. At times, I wondered what my purpose was. I wondered why I had not just died with my mother. All I had was Legolas, and he would never have known to miss me.

I soon found myself in the lowest dungeons of the palace, where I sensed a life form in one of the cells. I could tell it was one of the Dwarves and, growing curious, I moved closer to the door. As I drew nearer, I recognized the leader of the group, although he had been stripped of all but his pants and simple tunic.

"Have you been given any food yet?" I asked him softly.

He looked at me for a moment, disdain in his eyes. It cut at my already bleeding heart, but I ignored it, deciding to persevere. After a short while, he shook his head. "No," he said tersely. "I have not."

I pursed my lips, considering my options. Finally I made up my mind and said, "I will return soon."

I turned and left, heading to the kitchens where I came upon the butler, Galion. He was an amiable fellow, seemingly always cheerful. I requested that he make a small but hearty meal. He complied without question, and I was soon on my way back to the leader's cell.

"Here," I said when I arrived, and had pushed the food through a wide slot in the bars on the door. "I know it is not much, but it is all I could manage."

"My thanks," he said grudgingly, giving me a questioning look. "But why did you help me? What do you want in return?"

"I want nothing," I said, looking at the ground. I remembered my father's indifference to me, and shook my head. "My father is wrong to have ordered this."

He froze in the middle of eating, and looked at me sharply. "Your father?"

I nodded. "My name is Cuilwen Morwen Thranduileth, but he has ordered everyone to call me Morwen."

He looked puzzled. "Why would he want to call you Dark over Life?"

I looked at him in amazement. "You speak Sindarin!"

He nodded. "It was one of the things I was taught as a lad," he said calmly. "Before Erebor fell to the Dragon."

He was watching me closely, and I realized he expected a reaction. I smiled sadly.

"Well do I remember the tales of the glory of the Lonely Mountain," my gaze becoming distant. "My brother visited those halls with our father when the Arkenstone was discovered. Legolas said he had never seen such a jewel."

"It was a marvel indeed," he said. "A sign that the King's right to rule was divine." His thoughts seemed to wander before he looked at me again.

"You did not accompany them," he said. "I would remember an Elf with hair the color of flame in the midst of the heads of pale gold."

I looked at him, my gaze sober. "I have never seen the world beyond the forest. I know of it all, but..." I trailed off, shrugging slightly.

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to take the plunge. "I just want to say this," I continued, my voice softening. "I wish that my father would have helped your people after Erebor was taken. If I could have convinced my father otherwise, I would have. I know my brother tried, but our father's heart cannot be touched."

"What do you mean?" he asked me. I looked down at the floor, trying to hide the pain in my eyes.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of approaching guards. I looked into the cell, and saw that he had finished eating.

"Give me the plate and cup," I whispered frantically. He did as I said, and I hurriedly left.

I returned the dishes to the kitchen and went to my room, as it was growing late. I bathed myself and dressed for bed. Only when I was lying in my bed encased by the darkness did I realize that I never asked the Dwarf his name.

Ada- Father