Right, this beauty is adopted from the wonderful WriterGirl1198, BUT this is where my work begins :D
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 5
*Cuilwen's POV
The current eventually slowed and they had no other choice but to retreat back to the land. "Make for the shore!" Thorin yelled out, the company begrudgingly paddling with what energy the still retained. The barrel I shared caught up with the others swiftly due to the fact that there was two of us paddling in comparison to everyone else's one. Upon arriving at the edge I came to the conclusion that he would need to get out first before I could, and apparently he had the same thought, squeezing his much larger body through what little space remained, he tipped the barrel slightly to get out.
He stood before turning and looking down at me, bending down to drag the barrel onto the shore with a grunt. I gingerly climbed out of the wine keg, hissing in pain. I turned to offer my thanks to the dwarf but he had left. I pulled myself up onto some of the rocks, bracing myself for the sight of my leg.
My leggings were stained dark with blood, and I pulled a dagger from my side to cut the material surrounding the remaining shaft of the arrow. Biting my lip I tenderly pulled away the clothing that was beginning to stick to my skin. I looked up, finding the dwarves were further along shore going through their packs and treating their own wounds. I had to find my one, I knew Legolas would have packed some dressings for injuries.
The heavy sound of a pack hitting the ground next to me halted me in my struggle to stand, and looking up I saw the dwarf sit down.
"I'll get Oin to tend to that," Thorin assured, turning round to summon the healer.
The elder dwarf, of which Cuilwen could now call Oin, came over without a fuss, his small distaste for elves was overcome by the need to take care of the wounded. As he approached he could clearly make out the protruding arrow.
One of the definite younger ones was sitting closer to the river, his feet dipped into the water. He looked back as a shadow cast over the sun that was drying out his back, only to see the dark looming form of a bowman above.
The other members of the company picked up on the sudden change of mood and the bald dwarf was quick to come to the defence of the unprepared dwarf, albeit unprepared himself, armed only with a decent sized branch. Turning my head I could see the advantage this bowman had on the company and was ready to intervene with the small dagger I had tucked into my tunic, but that idea was quite literally shot down as the figure released his arrow into the branch the dwarf was holding, quickly notching another to shoot the rock out of another dwarf's hand.
"Try that again," the bowman began, preparing another arrow, "And you're dead."
*Third person POV*
Cuilwen decided to stand, deciding against sitting in hopes of proving something to the dwarves. Although she wouldn't admit it, she did takes some of the discreetly offered help from Thorin to stand, clutching his forearm before leaning on him to gain some balance.
Remembering how she was between Esgaroth and the Greenwood, Cuilwen made sure her hood covered her ears and hair.
One of the elderly dwarves, the one with the white beard stepped forward, the others all remained in a stunned silence.
"Excuse me," the dwarf approached the figure before the bowman's weapon swung towards him. "You're from Laketown, I suppose."
"Aye," The shadow replied and he lowered his bow as the dwarf raised his hands.
Cuilwen could make out the shoulder cut hair and moustache of the bowman as the overcast allowed for a little more sun to peek out.
"That barge over there, it wouldn't be up for hire would it?" The white bearded dwarf continued.
The bowman tilted his head, "And what makes you think I'd help you?"
"I bet you have some hungry mouths to feed, how many bairns?"
The bowman grasped one of the ruined barrels, loading it onto the barge, "A boy and two girls."
The old dwarf gained some confidence as the man answered more of his questions, "And your wife, I imagine she's a beauty."
The bowman's whole posture slumped at this, "Aye, she was."
The dwarf realised his mistake and was quick to try remedify it, "My apologies, I didn't me-
"Oh come on! Enough of the niceties!" The bald dwarf cut in.
"What's your hurry?" The bowman asked, clearly picking up on the tallest dwarf's desperation.
The dwarf in question simply shot another question back, "What's it to you?"
The dwarf from before seemed to have found his words, "We are travelling to see our kin in the Iron Hills.
The bowman arched an eyebrow, nodding slightly to himself and Thorin could tell he didn't believe Balin.
"I know where these barrels come from, whatever business you had with the elves clearly didn't end well. Half of the master's trade comes from the Greenwood, he would gladly see you in irons than face Thranduil's anger."
"Surely there are other ways to enter the town," Cuilwen spoke out, desperate for this to be over.
The bowman nodded, looking away from the dwarves, allowing them to board the ship. Cuilwen decided to stay close to Thorin, him being the only dwarf who she knew actually liked her, and he knew of her injury. He sat down first, allowing him to subtly lean on him to sit down herself. Cuilwen shut her eyes, attempting to block out the pain.
"How did you come by this?" Thorin questioned softly, he had been pressed to the bridge gates during the fight, and somehow she had gotten away from his side, despite his effort of keeping her close to him. He had seen her in the water, before she climbed the bank, and he almost had a heart attack when an orc came from behind, thankful that he had managed to warn her.
"I cut down a larger orc and saw there was no one on the stairs, I ran, and just before I reached the lever I was shot with an arrow, I managed to pull the lever before slipping, and fell into a barrel with the blonde dwarf over there," Cuilwen pointed out the dwarf, and Thorin looked up at his nephew.
"The arrow shaft snapped when I fell into the barrel with him."
Thorin decided to enlighten her, her constant use of 'him' and 'he' was becoming confusing considering all the dwarves were male.
"That's Bombur, Bofur and Bifur," He began pointing out the members of his company, stopping at the dwarf with an axe blade in his head to let her memorise them.
Cuilwen repeated the names in her head, committing them to memory.
"Nori, Dori and Ori," Thorin continued and seeing her nod he named the next few, "Dwalin and Balin."
"Are you listing them in any particular order?" Cuilwen broke him out of his task, before Thorin looked down at her.
"Yes, I was, the first lot are cousins, the second are brothers, as are the third. Gloin and Oin are brothers, as are Fili and Kili," Thorin introduced the next lot, and Cuilwen could now put a name to the dwarf she shared a barrel with.
"So I shared Fili's barrel, and next to him is his brother Kili?" Cuilwen asked.
"Yes, and they're also my nephews, Fili is my heir." Thorin confirmed.
"What of the hobbit?"
Thorin looked at Bilbo, "He's our burglar, Gandalf the Grey designated him after I asked for his help in finding the last member of our company, Master Bilbo Baggins, I believe."
Cuilwen looked up as Thorin had finished introducing his company and noticed the ship was heading towards rocks.
"Watch out!" Bofur warned. The bowman navigated the ship around the obstructions with no difficulty.
"Are you trying to drown us?!" Thorin yelled out.
"If I were to drown you master dwarf, I would not do it here," The bowman snarked back.
Dwalin was quick to voice his dislike of the human, but Balin cut in, "We don't have to like him, we do however, have to pay him."
"Come on lads, empty your pockets."
The grumbling of dwarves made up Cuilwen's mind, and before any of the dwarves could pull out their coins, she removed a larger sack of gold coins from her pack, tossing in front of Balin.
The dwarves silenced at the sound of the bagged coins hitting the deck, and all turned to look at Cuilwen who shrugged, "That should be enough."
The money was pocketed by the bowman before he ordered the dwarves into the barrels.
The dwarves sighed, not wanting to get back into them but did so anyway.
Thorin could hear Dwalin asking what the bowman was doing.
"Bard, his name is Bard, and Bard is talking to someone," Bilbo hissed back, "And he's pointing, right at us," Bilbo continued, his voice wavering slightly.
Thorin looked up at the sky, praying to Mahal this Bard hadn't outed them.
"Now they're shaking hands," Bilbo commentated.
"What?!" Thorin hissed.
"He's selling us out," Dwalin confirmed Thorin's fears.
Footsteps approached the barrels and the company silenced, before the smell of fish was apparent before each barrel was topped up with fish. The boat started moving forward and the dwarves took the opportunity to voice their dislike of their predicament.
"Quiet!" Bard hissed, kicking the nearest barrel, "We're approaching the toll gate," He finished softly.
"Halt! Goods inspection!" A voice cut out, "Oh! It's you Bard."
"Morning Percy," Bard responded before this Percy asked if there was anything to declare.
"I'm cold and tired, and ready for home," Bard replied.
"There we are, all in order," Percy declared before another person interrupted, "Not so fast, consignment of empty barrels, from the Woodland realm, only, they're not empty, are they Bard? If I recall correctly, you're licensed as a bargeman, not a fisherman."
Bard decided to defend himself, "That's none of your business."
Thorin continued listening to the conversation, which became quieter until the now named Alfrid spoke loudly again, "These fish are illegal, empty the barrels over the side."
People approached the barrels, and the company stilled, waiting to see if they'd be caught.
"People in this town are struggling, times are hard, food is scarce," Bard tried to persuade Alfrid.
"That's not my problem."
"And when people hear the master is dumping fish back in the lake, when the rioting starts, will it be your problem then?" Bard implored.
"Stop!" Alfrid ordered angered, "Ever the people's champion aye Bard? Protector of the common folk. You might have their favour now bargeman, but it won't last."
"Raise the gate!" Percy sounded and the boat began to move again.
"The master has his eye on you, you'd do well to remember we know where you live," Alfrid tried to threaten.
Bard decided to defend himself, "That's none of your business."
It wasn't until they were all in the lake under the houses when the realisation sunk in, they were climbing through his toilet.
As one of the last to enter, only Thorin and Fili stood behind her, and she looked down at her leg, wondering how in the valar she was to jump up on one leg.
"Here, let us help you," Thorin gave her no time to object before he was helping lift her, Fili hoisting her other side into the opening.
Cuilwen was shocked to say the least, but a blush covered her cheeks at the feel of his hands on her. She quickly clambered out of the toilet and followed the company ahead of her.
Cuilwen saw the fire, and immediately say as close as she could, drying herself out enough so she could remove her pants with ease to try not to aggravate her sound. Oin, remembering his earlier task, bustled over to Cuilwen and started working on removing the remaining arrow.
"It'll be an easy removal, but it'll hurt lass."
Cuilwen nodded her head although the healer could not see it, opting to observe the best course for removal. The elleth turned her head away, biting her lip to stop the whimper from escaping her as Oin tugged the arrow shaft out in a quick movement as the arrowhead pulled back through her flesh.
Blood began to flow faster from the hole in her thigh, Oin moving faster to dress the wound.
"It should be fine now, just take it easy," not saying any more on the matter, Oin stood before joining the rest of the company, leaving the arrowhead next to her.
Thorin walked across the room, Bard having left to find them some weapons, and sat next to Cuilwen, "How's your leg feeling now?"
"It hurts, the throbbing feels worse," came Cuilwen's reply, trying to keep her mind off of it.
"Aye," Thorin cut himself off as he picked up the arrowhead and began observing it, his mood going somber, "Oin!"
Hearing the desperation in his King's voice, Oin made a hasty retreat back to the elleth who was now joined by the leading dwarf.
Thorin bring himself to speak, and Cuilwen could see the attempted disbelief on his face before he concluded his fears with his words.
"This is a morgul arrow."
Cuilwen's mind went blank, she couldn't think. A morgul arrow? She wracked her brain, trying to think of how to treat the poison she now knew could cause her demise.
"Athelas, I need athelas," Cuilwen addressed Bard as he came back into the room.
"Athelas?" Bard questioned, evidently confused.
"Kingsfoil, I need it urgently."
"It's a weed, we feed it to the pigs," Bard supplied, he didn't know exactly who this person was, due to the hood covering her hair and shadowing her face, but, his dislike for dwarves did not obstruct him from helping a lady in need.
Bain, surprisingly, jumped up offering to go fetch the plant.
"I'll need as much as possible, I don't know how much I will need!" Cuilwen shouted as the child ran out of the house.
Kili, feeling somewhat apologetic towards her injuries turned to his brother, "It could've been me, I was ready to get out and pull that lever."
Fili looked at his brother in sympathy, "As much as I hate to say it, I'm glad it was her and not you, even though Uncle has taken a liking to her."
Kili nodded his head, lost in thought.
"I'm going to help her."
Before Fili could question his brother as to what he meant, Kili was already walking over to Cuilwen who was looking ahead, at what he did not know for he couldn't see his eyes. Thorin and Oin were to her sides. His Uncle was staring off into space, a deep frown set in his forehead. Oin however, was muttering away to himself, slowly unwrapping the dressings he had just put on.
Kili knelt down infront of the elleth, looking back over his shoulder at Thorin's heir, nodding at him to come over. Fili pushed off the wall with a sigh, wondering what his brother was up to.
Kili turned back to Cuilwen, he had heard what name her father bestowed upon her when she spoke to Thorin through his cell bars. He knew she loved her father, and even though Thranduil didn't express any love for his daughter, he knew leaving her home was hard for her.
Fili had joined him by now, kneeling next to his brother.
"Forgive us, Milady, for not introducing ourselves earlier," Kili spoke, and Cuilwen tilted her head back, the light of the fire showing her face. Kili looked towards his brother, nodding his head sharply towards the female, waiting for Fili to continue.
"Fili," The blonde spoke.
"And Kili," The stubbled dwarf continued, his smile making his older brother shake his head, suppressing a chuckle.
"At your service," They finished together.
Cuilwen noticed she was thoroughly barricaded from any outside view, pulled her hood back to her hairline, her face exposed completely.
"Cuilwen, at yours."
Kili tossed some words around his head, wanting to thank her.
"I- I-uh, wanted to say thank you, you pulled the lever that opened the gates again, I saw you get shot by that arrow. You helped us get out," Kili cursed himself mentally as he realised how ridiculous that sounded.
To his surprise Cuilwen giggled, a light, bell like sound.
"Your gratitude is appreciated, young dwarf, but I simply did what any one of you would have done sooner or later."
"You saved us, we'd have been killed if we didn't have our weapons, which you returned to us and had you not pulled that lever we'd have been trapped under that bridge as we were slaughtered," Thorin spoke, he needed her to understand how much her actions were appreciated.
"You helped me fight of orcs, even if it was a tight fit," Fili winked, thinking back to how they shared a barrel, "And you paid Bard for us to enter Laketown."
Cuilwen was shocked to say the least, but as she went to reply Bain came running back in the house.
Bain walked over to the dining room table, turning out his pockets and placing large handfuls of Athelas on the wood.
Thorin stood up, moving behind the elleth and tucking his arms under hers. Nodding to his nephews, Fili and Kili each grabbed a leg, Kili being mindful of her wound, making sure not to jostle her leg too much.
Cuilwen squeaked in surprise as they carried her over to the table, placing her on it as Oin now could get an easier view of the injury. He was not missing out on this, despite his small distrust in the elves, he could not fault them for their healing knowledge and methods.
Cuilwen thought back to before her brother taught her how to use weapons, at a young age she was eager to be just like Legolas, trying to persuade him into teaching her how to use her bow and blades. He taught her in the art of healing, in hopes that if she did become injured, she'd be able to heal herself.
'All that waiting paid off' Cuilwen thought, almost astonished that she actually paid attention, albeit it was her brother instructing her.
That was her last thought before the throbbing in her leg increased ten fold before darkness consumed her.
The dwarves looked on in shock, she'd been fine just a minute ago. Oin jumped into action, checking her vitals.
"She's fine lads, looks like she just fainted, probably the blood loss catching up with her, we can wait until she wakes, she'll be able to do the rest."
Thorin waited by her side, midday had just passed as she had began to regain her colouring.
His clothes had since dried, the heat of the fire supplying warmth to his previously colder clothing. He hadn't taken his eyes off of her however, he couldn't understand how her father didn't love her, her personality was something he had never encountered, she was too kind and forgave Thranduil too easily despite how his words cut her deeply. She was loyal, he had seen the devotion her and her brother shared for one another and her beauty only added to it.
Her foot twitched, Thorin instantly taking note of it before calling Oin back over. Her leg spasmed slightly once, twice and then she shot up, her mouth open in a silent scream. Thorin was quick to react, standing behind her, holding her chest down with one hand as the other came over her mouth. As much as he hated restraining and silencing her, he couldn't afford for the company to be found out.
Cuilwen hadn't felt this kind of pain before, white hot pain burned through her leg. She felt sweaty, her wound throbbing. She tried to inhale, gasping for breath but couldn't due to the hand over her mouth.
"Shhh, just breathe, calm down, Gajut men. All shall be well Athanu men."
Bifur had been nearby, and he definitely picked up on what Thorin said, being it the only language he could reply back in. He looked at Thorin flabbergasted, unable to form words. Trying to voice his strong dislike of his leader's choice of words towards the elleth, he watched on as Thorin hushed her, holding her tightly, calming her down and soothing her worries. He observed as Thorin's brows were creased with worry and concern, his attention solely on her and he couldn't bring himself to argue against the future King.
Instead, Bifur's shock was redirected at the tall, blonde elf that now stood inside the front door, how no one noticed him was beyond Bifur, but he continued to watch shocked as the elf walked hurriedly towards the room they were occupying. His steel blue eyes seemed to literally glow with panic and worry for the elleth currently calming down within the dwarf King's embrace.
Legolas was shocked to say the least, he never thought something like this could happen, and partially blamed himself for aiding her in her escape which led to her being wounded.
"How long has she been like this?" The elf forced himself to speak.
Thorin seemed to realise he was being spoken to, and he wasn't being addressed by anyone of his company. It was an elf.
"How long has she been like this?!" The elf asked again, his patience wearing thin at seeing his sister in such a state and the lack of answers from the dwarf.
Cuilwen seemed to hear her brother, she being the only one to know who he is, and she reached her hand out towards him.
Legolas clutched his sister's hand as he finally got an answer.
"She woke not long ago, she was going to treat herself with some of the weed but fainted, she was struck by a morgul arrow as she reopened the gates at Mirkwood's borders," The brown haired dwarf spoke up from holding down Cuilwen's right ankle, preventing her from thrashing too hard.
Thorin finally took notice of the new presence and looked up, knowing who he was immediately by the uncanny resemblance between the elf and Thranduil, and how tightly Cuilwen was holding onto this man confirmed his suspicions.
Thorin felt broken, he couldn't stand to see the elleth in such a state, his elleth. Why, he didn't know, he hadn't felt like this ever. Not when Erebor had been taken from his people, nor when the dwarves were denied help from the elves of the Greenwood, not when his brother died, or his grandfather or his father. This felt worse, and he couldn't fathom why.
The proud dwarf looked up into the eyes of his elleth's brother, his eyes begging, "Please, help her, do whatever you can." I need her
Legolas sprung into action, asking for a bowl of water as he grabbed the kingsfoil from the table top. Ori ran over, having been the closest to the tap he swiftly handed the elf a bowl of water.
Legolas placed his hands in the water, rubbing the weed between his palms, his heart breaking as Cuilwen cries and screams of pain were muffled by Thorin's hand.
Legolas looked to the other dwarves, one holding her left leg, the other her right ankle, "Hold her down firmly."
Legolas pulled his hands from the water, coming and holding her thigh surrounding the wound down to get a closer look before looking up at his sister's face which was creased in pain.
He began chanting, his eyes closing as he began to press the athelas into the wound. Kili increasing the pressure he had on her ankle in hopes of restraining her better as she thrashed harder when the pain only increased. Oin was leaning in close, his ear trumpet right beneath Legolas, and although it was bent out of shape from the treatment it received in Goblin Town, he seemed to be soaking up every word.
Cuilwen's eyes opened, squinting against the pain she looked up at her brother, trying to stop herself from seeing two of him as he began to glow. Cuilwen's face slowly morphed into one of relief, as her brother finished the chant, proceeding to bandage it tightly. Fili and Kili slowly released their hold on her, making sure she wouldn't thrash again and hurt herself in the process. The brothers and Oin made their way towards the other on looking dwarves who stood on the far side of the room.
"That was a privilege to watch," Oin said in awe, simply basking in the fact he witnessed elven healing.
Thorin removed his hand from her mouth, her breath coming in gasps as she lazed in exhaustion. He watched as her eyes followed her brothers movements.
"Legolas," She breathed out.
He turned back to her, concern still marring his pale face, "Lie still Nary."
Cuilwen continued to speak, her tone remaining breathy, "I saw her Toron."
Legolas stiffened, almost afraid of what she'd say next.
Cuilwen however did not notice her brother's reaction to her statement.
"I saw Naneth, Toron, she looked so beautiful, just like what you said."
Legolas looked at his little sister, his eyes giving away the grief he still held in regards to their Naneth.
"She said, Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'."
Legolas grasped Cuilwen's hand in his own as she continued, "She told me Ada loves me."
The elf prince lost composure then, a tear slipping from his eye as he continued to listen, "Do you think Naneth would have loved me? Even though it's my fault she isn't here?"
Legolas couldn't answer and he didn't get the chance to as Cuilwen gave into her exhaustion.
Thorin sat there in shock at the words that came falling from Cuilwen's mouth, he knew his father despised her and blamed her for her mother's death but never thought she would begin to question it too.
"How did you know she needed help?" Thorin asked the ellon.
Legolas sighed, "We took an orc back to our halls and questioned him."
Legolas stood before his father's throne watching as one of the guards held a blade to the kneeling orc's throat whilst Thranduil circled the wretched creature.
"Such is the nature of evil, out there in the vast ignorance of the world it festers and spreads. A shadow that grows in the dark. Sleepless malice as black as the oncoming wall of night. So whatever was, so will it always be."
The orc began to growl lowly, his eyes glowing bright in contrast of it's dead skin.
"In time, all foul things come forth," Thranduil spoke, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You were tracking the company of thirteen dwarves, why?" The guard spoke, grasping tighter to the orcs head as it tried to move.
"You're forgetting that pretty girl that was with them," The orc avoided the question.
Legolas stiffened, they had seen Nary, for no other dwarrowdam was a member of the company.
"Flaming red hair she had beneath that cloak, thought she could hide."
Thranduil looked towards his son as his figure tensed more as the orc kept speaking.
Legolas looked into the eyes of the orc as it continued to growl from its throat, "Stuck her with a morgul shaft, poison's in her blood, she'll be choking on it soon."
The orc smirked at Legolas' reaction to his words.
"Answer the question filth!" Legolas hissed.
The orc began speaking in Black Speech, fighting against the guard that held him in place and although Legolas couldn't understand him, it was enough for him to draw his own blade.
The guard decided to speak, decidedly having enough of it's squirming, "I would not antagonize him."
Legolas ignored the guard, "You like killing things orc?"
The orc growled again, his tongue licking what remained of his lips.
"You like death?" Legolas continued, "Then let me give it to you!"
Legolas stepped forward swinging his blade around the guard's sword, ready to slay the orc.
"Enough!" Thranduil intervened as the orc hissed at Legolas, taunting him.
"Answer the question, you have nothing to fear, tell us what you know and I will set you free."
Legolas stared at his father, waiting to see where he was going with this, surely his Ada wouldn't let such filth back out into the world.
"You had orders to kill them, why? What is Thorin Oakenshield to you?" The guard interrogated.
"The dwarf runt will never be King," The orc huffed out.
"King? There is no King under the mountain, nor will there ever be. None would dare enter Erebor whilst the dragon lives," The guard baited the orc.
"You know nothing! Your world will burn," The orc breathed out.
"What are you talking about? Speak!" Legolas intervened, yelling when the orc only growled in reply.
"The time has come again, my Master serves the one," Thranduil stiffened and Legolas almost scoffed, he reacts to that but simply waves off his daughter being shot by a morgul arrow?
"Do you understand now elfling? Death is upon you. Flames of war are upon you, " The orc spoke, his words increasing in anger as he continued before cackling.
Thranduil didn't turn as he unsheathed his sword, beheading the orc in one swift, fluid motion.
"Why did you do that?" Legolas questioned, forgetting his sister for a moment, "You promised to set him free."
"And I did," Thranduil spoke coldly, "I freed his wretched head from his miserable shoulders," Thranduil dismissed the guard as Legolas and him stood next to one another, observing the spasming body of the now dead orc.
"There was nothing more he could tell me," His father tried to end the conversation and turned to leave.
"That's it?" Legolas whispered, knowing his father could hear him clearly.
Thranduil stopped in his departure, "What do you mean to say my son?"
"My son?" Legolas spat the words back at his father, "You never address Cuilwen as yours, what makes me different? Why do you stand here with the knowledge that your daughter could pass in mere hours and address me as such?!"
The ElvenKing remained where he was, deciding to listen for Legolas' indulgence.
"We are from you and Naneth, what makes her lesser? She is yours by blood, and we share the same Naneth, so tell me Ada, why has she earned the name Morwen from you? Would Naneth have treated her the way you have treated her and continue to do so now? What if Naneth died birthing me? Would you hate me so?!" Legolas couldn't control his anger, he hated not standing up for his sister, and when he finally does so, she's on her deathbed.
Thranduil turned to face his heir, his face twisted in pain, "Do not speak of her as mine, she killed A'maelamin! If she was never born your Naneth would still be here!"
"How do you think Naneth would treat her? Better yet, How do you think Naneth would feel if she saw you now, saw how you treat your only daughter, her only daughter, would she be disgusted? Terrified of what darkness her husband forced upon her elfling at such a young and innocent age?! What did you ever do to deserve Naneth? If she saw you know, she'd take me and Nary and flee for our lives!"
Thranduil flinched at Legolas' words, hearing the truth ring loudly within them. For the first time since his beloved's departure from his side his eyes glazed over with tears.
Legolas, seeing he was finally getting through to his father continued, albeit, more quietly.
"If I wasn't here now, you'd only have her. Cuilwen has done no wrong, she didn't decide to kill mother, what kind of child who has not witnessed nor has knowledge of killing murders their mother? You loved Cuilwen, you loved watching Naneth smile as she kicked from within her."
Thranduil allowed a tear to slide down his check, reminiscing his wife smiling in joy, using her own hands to press his against her belly, where their child grew.
"Cuilwen still loves you Ada, that unconditional love a daughter has for her father, you're the only parent she has known and how have you treated her? Branding the name Naneth gave her with literal darkness and feeding her only with words of malice, she loves you still and now she is dying."
Legolas strode around his father, "I'm going to her now, to help her, and if not, make sure her last moments aren't spent concerning herself with the likes of you."
Legolas walked down the path to the main doors that led to the woods.
"Legolas?" Thranduil spoke, his voice pleading. Thranduil watched as his child turned to him, his face expressionless despite his surprise at the visibly broken ElvenKing.
"Tell her I'm coming, but no more, for I wish to confess and apologise for all my sins to her in her presence. I have never been so wrong before and I hope you will come to realise how proud not only I am of you, but how your Naneth would be too. You raised her son, something I should've done as soon as she came into this world, and I hope you too, can forgive me."
Legolas nodded turning to depart to Esgaroth, "I'll be sure to tell the master you retract your deal also."
Thranduil nodded despite knowing Legolas would not see or hear his agreement.
"Just don't let her die."
Legolas relayed the events that led to his now current presence in Laketown to Thorin who looked livid once Legolas stopped speaking.
"As much as I hate Thranduil for not only turning his back on my people, but hurting Cuilwen so, it will be her choice to accept his apologies. Her answer is final."
Legolas nodded, finding he agreed with the dwarf King.
"You care a great deal for her even though she is the blood of your enemy," Legolas spoke, trying to understand Thorin's tender actions and words to his sister. He didn't care much for his people's dislike of dwarves, for he had no personal reason to.
Thorin was hesitant, he knew that Legolas loved his sister dearly but didn't want him to suddenly shun her like their father did, for his next words could severely hurt the strong relationship between Cuilwen and Legolas.
"S-she i-is my One," Thorin managed to get out, stumbling through his explanation.
Legolas stiffened, of all things he was anticipating, it was not this, he knew the dwarf harbored some feelings for his Nary but this took the cake, he however was happy for his sister
Thorin mistook his shock and silence as disagreement and objection to the bond Thorin shared with Cuilwen, "She cannot help it!" The dwarf was quick to rush out, "Mahal bestows it upon us dwarves, it is a gift for us, to find our One, they're our soulmates, you can't blame her for that!"
Legolas drank it all in, even though he knew this all already.
"Calm yourself, Oakenshield, this doesn't hinder my love for her, if anything, I am happy that she will be loved by another than just myself." Legolas left out his father, for it was Cuilwen's choice to accept Thranduil's love whenever he does come.
Thorin, deciding to change topics spoke again, "You know that I couldn't risk her health, but when she wakes, we will be preparing to leave, I care not for the people of Esgaroth seeing us now. The Master appears he can easily be swayed by a few pieces of gold."
Legolas nodded, he had dealings in the past with the Master of Laketown, and hated that he had to confront the man with the withdrawal of his father's earlier dealings.
His attention however was taken off the greedy Master and directed at his now waking sister.
"Toron?" Cuilwen mumbled.
"You're well now sister, Master Oakenshield will take care of you," He directed the latter part to the dwarf in warning and Thorin inclined his head, understanding the silent threat. "You will go with him to take back their home."
Legolas sighed, wondering how to break the news of their father's change of heart, deciding that even in her fragile state, she would be better of with it straight.
"Ada is coming, Nary," Legolas was quick to continue seeing the alarmed look on her face, "I'm about to go speak to the Master in regards to terminating the dealings with him and you should know that I know of what Ada intends for you. You know I wouldn't put you in harms way," Legolas soothed.
Legolas stood, deciding to take his leave, the sooner he did, the sooner he could join his sister and her now extended family in taking back their rightful home.
Legolas bent to kiss his sister's forehead whispering a short I love you before departing the bargeman's home.
Thorin stood too, supporting Cuilwen as he helped her to sit.
"We leave soon, gather your weapons and packs," Thorin addressed the group of dwarves and the hobbit.
Cuilwen's eyes widened at Thorin's words, her back straightening against his front. My weapons and pack, they're probably in the lake.
Bifur had continued to watch the scene, mixed emotions flooded through the dwarf, and being silent more often than not, he learnt to pick up on certain things pertaining to people's body language. He observed that Cuilwen stiffened at the words weapons and packs, and then looked around her, noticing no weapons or her pack near her.
Bifur came to his feet, concluding that the elleth realised she had no weapons or pack herself and made his way over to Dwalin and Nori who stood against the wall where all the packs were placed.
Dwalin and Nori both watched as he picked up the pack belonging to the she-elf before walking over to where Bofur and Bombur sat near the weapons, rifling through the assorted metal and wood until he found the dual blades both sheathed in white leather that could be worn on the back and the bow that was obviously not Kili's, swinging the shiny, white quiver over his shoulder he retreated back towards the elf.
Placing her pack on a chair pulled out from the table, Bifur gently lowered her weapons to her side, noticing the intricate work on the hilts of the blades and the engravings in the quiver. Her arrow fletchings were pale blue, and if he wasn't mistaken, was pretty much the same colour as her brother's eyes.
The detailing was a dead give away that her weapons in comparison to Thorin's own blade, were much more greater in both use and worth.
Cuilwen, turned to the dwarf and shocked the whole company, "Dolzekh Menu."
Bifur grinned at the elf, nodding in turn before going and collecting his own belongings. Thorin simply shook his head in disbelief, a small smile playing at his lips as he thought of how lucky he was.
The company swiftly gathered their belongings, Cuilwen pulled on her blades before her pack went over their holdings on her back, she pulled on the hilt of a blade, making sure she could get it out with ease before adding her quiver to her right shoulder.
Bow in hand she turned to the room adjacent noticing Sigrid, Bain and Tilda were all occupied as she slipped another bag of gold coins onto the table she had been laying on.
She couldn't hear or see Bard, so she assumed he had gone out to do something, the children weren't all that phased so she decided she had no reason to worry about his absence.
Thorin led the company out into the bustling of Laketown, determined to reach his mountain before nightfall.