Updated October 6th, 2021
Original Authors Note: Oh, well don't I suck. Here I thought I was being cool and apparently I am following a trend. I honestly had no IDEA poisoning was such a popular thing for poor Tauriel in other fanfics, but it worked with what I wanted to do so that is why I went that route. Sorry Imagine! D: I hope I can endeavor to still make it interesting.
This is a shorter chapter, I know. It just ended where I wanted it to but I wanted to post it so maybe I can get the longer one out later tonight or tomorrow at the latest. Its pretty much ready anyway but I have to work…adulting…ya know?
Chapter Eight
Viltarra did not know how long she sat in the corner huddled into herself. She let the darkness engulf her and was only pulled from her thoughts when she heard footsteps coming towards the cells. She was about to stand when she realized it was the guards bringing in another dwarrow, bound just as she had been.
Viltarra watched curiously from her place in the shadows as they opened her cell and shoved what ended up being a dam inside before slamming the door shut once more. The dam said nothing to the guard, but she did turn a dark glare at his retreating figure.
The young blonde baker was about to move to ask if the other was alright, when they pulled out a slip of parchment with a small ink-filled quill, and began writing furiously.
The dam looked around the cell, peering into the darkness as if searching the shadows for something or someone, which made Viltarra even more curious. She realized she was so deep in the corner, the dam must not be able to see her, so Viltarra pushed herself further into the darkness to remain out of sight and just see what happens.
The dam wrote for another minute then leaned against the wall near the door constantly checking the block entrance, as if waiting for someone to come.
An hour went by and Viltarra's back and bum ached from how she was sitting on the hard stone, but she refused to move and give herself up. The dam kept mumbling "Where is he!?" Over and over she mumbled, then paced the cell door for a few minutes, paused and stared at the entrance, then began her trek again.
Viltarra jumped slightly when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs and a dwarf she did not recognize enter the stalls. This is when the dam stopped her pacing and rushed to the door. "Finally. Is it done?"
The dwarf leaned in close, his voice low as he whispered, "I don' know. Nobody is talkin' tha' knows anythin'. Our guards have not been on duty since las' night, they were dismissed temporarily. Thorin and Dis along with both the princes 'ave disappeared. Whether she lives or no', I cannot say. I have heard a rumor tha' the princess is indeed dead, and the royal family is in mournin'."
Viltarra had to catch herself. They were talking about someone dying…the princess…TAURIEL! She knew it…she knew something was going on. She knew Tauriel was not well. She just wished she would have said something sooner, make Fili take her to someone, or taken her to the healer herself. But, she can't be gone, they had to be talking about someone else, or lying.
Not wanting to miss anything, and not wanting to jump to any conclusions, Viltarra forced her attention away from her friend, and back on the conversation at hand.
The dam leaned closer to the bars. "There was an elven healer, I saw 'er. What of tha'?"
"Final rights we can hope." The dwarf shrugged and Viltarra growled silently.
Pulling the parchment from her pocket once more, the dam held it out to the dwarf on the other side of the bars. "Here. Take this. Yeh know where it goes." She passed the piece of parchment to the black-haired dwarf who nodded, turned, and left without another word.
The other dam watched him go and turned towards Viltarra's dark corner, and that is when Viltarra realized who it was. "I know you! Your Tauriel's healer! Gil…Gilder? Gil something!"
The other dam jumped and peered further into the shadows, Viltarra stepping down from the stone and moving into the light. "What have you done? I saw that and I heard what you said. It was you wasn't it. You have been hurting Tauriel! I was right all along. It is not her pregnancy that is making her sick!"
The dam just smirked and leaned against the wall, lifting a brow at the baker, but admitting to nothing.
Viltarra huffed, and glared at the dam. "Are you even a healer?"
The dam smiled nefariously. "Oh aye. The best of them too."
That did not make any sense to Viltarra, so she lowered her brows in question, staring into the dam's cold eyes. "Why then? Why would you cause harm? Aren't you supposed to help all? Heal pain not cause it? Is that not what you swear into when you become a healer? The oath you take?"
"You know nothing child." The healer rolled her eyes, obviously annoyed by the questioning.
"I know what I saw and heard." Viltarra shot back, folding her arms as she stared hard at the other dam.
The old healer scrutinized Viltarra, and tutted. "Oh? An' who will believe ya, eh? A known healer who has helped countless throughout middle earth, against the word of a child. A baker's child of no real worth. Ya are in 'ere too, so it won' take much to show them who the real…villain…of this tragedy is. Mark me words lass, yer neck will hang before mine."
Another set of footsteps pounded down the stairs before a guards voice could be heard stopping it. That was odd, Viltarra thought. Why did they stop this visitor but not the last?
"I have been given express permission by the king to be down here Tudik, so I don't answer to you. Let me through. I am here to speak to the prisoners, not to you." Viltarra's heartbeat accelerated, she knew that voice.
There was a bit of a squabble, but the footsteps continued down to the cells, and the familiar dwarven prince stepped into the light looking around before spotting her.
"Fili!" Viltarra pushed past the healer and ran to the cell door just as Fili came towards her. He placed his hands on the bars and leaned in, Viltarra grasping at his wrists. "It is Tauriel isn't it, and they think I did it. I didn't Fili! I would never harm Tauriel. She is one of my only friends. I would never hurt her, I love her."
Fili allowed his eyes to flick to the healer against the far wall behind the young dam, then he leaned in impossibly close. "Shhh, I know. She believes you innocent as well." His voice was just a whisper across her face. "I have to take you in for questioning." Fili lifted his voice on the last sentence as he peered back at the healer. "You both will be asked a series of questions. I think it best you be as honest as possible."
Viltarra looked at him for a moment, then released his wrists and stepped back away from the door as Fili unlocked it and handed her a strip of leather giving her an apologetic look. "It was the only way they would allow me to take you into another room to interrogate. Gildridd will have to do it too." The other dam put on an innocent face and nodded but as soon as his back was turned, she gave Viltarra a menacing glare.
Fili did not lead Viltarra far, just through a broken door beside the entranceway and turned towards her, helping her remove the bindings and tossing them to the floor. He saw her looking around the doorless room, taking in the broken table and chair in the corner, the cracked walls, and the ominous chains rusting on the ground. There was a lantern attached to the wall which Fili walked over and lit, though it did little to make the room look inviting.
Fili looked from Viltarra to the doorless entryway where you could see the open entrance to the cells and a few of the steps ascending into the mountain from where they stood…but not the supposed guards. "I want to see anyone coming and going, but still have some privacy." He answered when she threw him a questioning look.
Viltarra was about to open her mouth to tell him what she heard in the cell, when he pulled her into his arms. She was surprised at first, but quickly allowed her hands to slip around his waist. She leaned into Fili's warmth, burrowing her head into the furs of his vest and just allowed him to hold her for a moment. Fili was taller than her by just a few inches, but they fit together so well it was like he was a missing piece of her.
"Fili? What is happening?" Viltarra could feel the vibration of his hum in response from where her head rested.
Fili sighed. "Tauriel has been poisoned. You were right Viltarra. Entirely too right. I should have listened to you when you told me before, when you said my sister was dying right before my eyes, and I, we, were doing nothing."
Viltarra felt no satisfaction in being right, instead it made her feel worse. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead into Fili's collar. "It was Gildridd. She didn't come right out and say it, but…she had something to do with this."
Fili pulled away, his hands resting on her hips as her hands slid to his chest, her fingers grasping at the lapels of his fur lined vest. "Did you hear something?"
Viltarra nodded. "Somebody came down…it…it was a dwarf I did not recognize. He must have known the guards, or the guards were gone or something, because he walked right in without anyone stopping him. He went directly to Gildridd and they spoke for several minutes before she passed him a piece of parchment the healer was writing on when she was put in the cell, I do not know what it said but she took a while to write whatever it was out."
Fili gave her a calculating look. "Do you remember what they spoke of?"
Viltarra thought for a moment, then nodded again. "Gildridd had asked if 'it was done' but he did not seem to know the answer. He mentioned the princess, your family, and mourning. It only took me a moment to piece together that they were discussing Tauriel." Her eyes went wide.
The young baker clutched at Fili's vest, her eyes begging as she cried out as quietly as she could. "Is she alright Fili?! They mentioned her dying, but you said she thinks me innocent. Please tell me she is alright! Tell me you were able to get help before she came to…before she…"
Fili had never seen Viltarra with tears in her eyes, but the young dam let several slip down her cheeks. If he had ANY doubt of Viltarra's innocence it was long gone now. Nobody could genuinely fake the concern she showed.
The young prince wiped the tears from her eyes as he gave her a small, grateful, smile. "Tauriel and the baby are both fine and well on their way to recovery… and we have you to thank for that Viltarra. If you had not sent me up, Tauriel would have fallen to her death. A fact I only remembered just now. The poison was doing it's work, but, her death would have been from her falling from the raven room." He lifted one of his hands to rub at his eyes tiredly. That, was a scene that will play out in his nightmares for weeks to come, his sister inches from falling to her doom.
It did not matter though, Tauriel was safe. He got there just in time, and only thanks to the dam directly in front of him. It was Viltarra they should be thanking for Tauriel's life right now. She should be honored, not put in a cell. He will have to speak to his uncle again, but Thorin has gone into over-protective mode and likely will not listen until this is a bit closer to being settled.
Viltarra tugged on his wrist, pulling it away from his face. "You need to get some rest, you look exhausted."
Fili smiled. "Not until we figure this out, and I can get you out of here." He lowered his brows and sighed. "I think I have enough to get you out, but…well…you may not like what I have to say." She threw him a bewildered look and Fili sighed again. "If I cannot immediately get you freed, then, I need you to be my eyes and ears, on the inside. Do you think you are up for it?"
The baker stared at him then nodded. "Yes. Of course. If it helps get anyone responsible for harming Tauriel, I am all in."
Fili smiled widely. "I knew I could count on you. If that dwarrow comes back, I want you to tell me. If Gildridd says anything, tell me. Do you remember what he looked like? The dwarf who came for the note?"
Viltarra looked away in thought, then began to describe what she remembered. "It was dark, but, his hair looked near black, like the color of Kili's, and his beard went to his waist. It only had a few braids in it one large one down the middle, and two smaller on either side. The hair on his head was short though. I think I could pick him out if I saw him but that is the best I could do to describe him from where I sat."
Fili gave her another smile and pulled her close once more, tightening his arms around her and pulling her to him as he murmured into her hair. "You did well. I have to question Gildridd even if it is just for appearances, though I do believe you when you say it is her, it makes the most sense with the diet and her involvement in Tauriel's food. But getting others to believe she was involved when she won't admit it in questioning, or to anyone outside the cell, will be difficult. There is also the fact she saw our greeting, so her guard may be up with our familiarity. Though, it may not make a difference at all in the end."
An idea came to the prince, and he let it roll over in his mind. It could work…though there was a lot that could go wrong as well, and he would have to tell his family…but it might be the fastest way to figure this all out. Fili looked away at the wall in thought then turned back to Viltarra. "I have an idea. Let Gildridd believe Tauriel is dead."
Viltarra leaned back in shock. "What! Fili. Is that a good idea?"
"I believe it will be in the end. I will tell uncle and mam of this as well. Tauriel is with Kili sequestered in Oin's room, with nobody but the family allowed to come and go. So perhaps letting people think we are in mourning is the perfect way to flush out all who are involved. Do you think you can pull off some more of these tears?" Fili leaned forward and used the pad of his thumb to wipe an errant tear away from her cheek.
Though she did not quite understand his reasoning, or see how it would help, Viltarra nodded her head in agreement. Fili smiled, staring at her for a brief moment before pulling away from her; she immediately missed his warmth.
Viltarra watched as Fili bent down to retrieve the discarded leather bands from the ground. He apologetically handed her back the bindings and helped her loosely wrap her wrists. When he paused at the door, Viltarra placed her bound hands on his forearm. "It is fine Fili, as long as Tauriel is alright, I will endure what I can to help. We will figure this out, and then, we can talk. Okay?"
The princes eyes widened, and a bright smile spread across his face. "I would like that." He tugged on a lock of her hair that fell into her face then turned towards the door.
Fili was about to walk away and lead her back but stopped in his tracks just at the doorway, Viltarra bumping into him from behind. He flipped around and gave her a questioning look. "Why did you have the flowers?"
Viltarra wrinkled her nose in confusion. "What flowers?"
"The morning glories." Fili quietly answered. "Aeodhen said you had morning glories with you and in your stall. Why?"
Viltarra blushed and looked at her feet. She never considered herself overly feminine, but she always had a love for beautiful flowers. They were so vibrant, colorful, and fragrant, which was a stark contrast to the browns, greys, and beiges of the bakery.
Viltarra has always tried to have flowers to look at during the spring and summer months. She even had a book of pressed flowers to get her through the winter. It was her one female vise she succumbed too, not perfumes, gowns, and jewels, but flowers.
However, she was not about to tell Fili all of that, but she will simplify it. "I saw them and thought they were beautiful. I knew amad would love them to brighten the place up, it can get a bit, dull, in the bakery sometimes. So, I have been keeping a vase of morning glories, roses, and lilies these last several weeks since they seem to grow among the brush where I find my herbs. Why Fili?"
Fili thought for a moment, then quietly responded. "Elves are resilient beings, able to live nearly immortal lives. They can be killed though. Usually in battle, but apparently, they can be poisoned too. Seeds of the Morning Glory flower are toxic when ingested by an elf. It is how Tauriel was poisoned. How she died." He spoke the last sentence loud enough for his voice to travel towards the cell.
Viltarra allowed for herself to wonder what it would feel to actually lose her close friend, because in reality, she was mere minutes from just that happening. Tauriel was the only one she knew well in the mountain, apart from Leotti who has been so invested in her shop, neither Viltarra nor Tauriel had seen much of the small seamstress. Viltarra truly knew no others.
Apart from the few feasts and celebrations, then of course the evening meals, Viltarra kept close to her family, and their bakery. She is only just learning what it is like to be a bit more, outgoing, socially, but has a long way to go yet.
Even Fili's family is comprised of strangers to her. She knew Fili and Tauriel, but that is it. Her interactions with Kili are few and brief, Dis even less so, and Viltarra has never spoken to Thorin before. She knows Fili has friends, but, except for that conversation by the fire with…B…B….Burfer?
Hammers throw, she really needed to be better with names. Anyway, except for that conversation, she really has not spoken to many of them. The hatted dwarf who owned the toy shop just above them was kind, and he along with a few others did come by the bakery for breads and pastries, but, apparently those interactions were not enough to build the trust necessary to clear her name or consider her innocent.
Viltarra was starting to understand why her mother was so adamant she gets out and makes friends, if she had, maybe others would be more apt to come to her defense rather than immediately pinning her as a suspect.
The young dam sighed, and looked down to the floor. She really did feel alone right now, and she realized, this must be how her friend felt these last two months. Thrust aside, alone, and without the support she needed.
For her friend, Viltarra felt more tears fall down her eyes and jumped when she realized Fili was leaning in close. He traced the path of the tear on her cheek and threw her a wink before twisting around and waiting at the open door for her. Fili wiped all of the emotion off his face, as he put Viltarra back into the cell with Gildridd, where she slid down the wall to the floor in tears, once her bindings were removed.
Holding the leather strip up, he waited for the older dam to put it around her wrists and follow him out the door. He only half listened to her excuses noting the slightly twisted gleam in her eyes. She must have heard him proclaim his sister to be lost. Good. It will get things rolling.
The young prince should not have been surprised when Gildridd kept her entire inquisition solely on herself, talking about how important she was, how her skills were absolutely needed by others, and that she was likely losing patients being locked in a cell like this.
Not once did she ask about Tauriel. If she was such a concerned healer, should not her first inquiry be that of her patients? Especially ones who are in such severe states just as his sister was? Fili internally sighed and watched as Gildridd wove herself into herodom while his mind made plans to get Viltarra out and find all who set out to harm his sister. Nobody hurts his family.
While Gildridd droned on, Fili looked the picture of focus. Fili was a master at looking like he was listening when in fact he was not. He had to learn the skill while being taught and tutored by Balin as a dwarfling. Talk about a dwarf that can talk and talk and talk. Kili was appalling at it. He fidgeted, sketched on his notes, and more often than not, would just up and fall asleep, drooling on his parchment until Fili nudged him awake. He has only gotten slightly better in the last few years, mostly in thanks to Tauriel who had an odd way of keeping him focused…well, she could keep him focused on her. Maybe he wasn't any better after all.
"I should be let out, directly, my patients need me." Gildridd stared hard at Fili.
See, Fili did not need to listen, he already knew where the dam would end. "Right. Sorry Gil, but that is not for me to decide." He had not even let the dam out of her bindings like he had Viltarra. He was not stupid, he knew she was only an opportunity away from running. Fili gestured towards the door and led her back into the cell. As he closed the cell door, he gave Viltarra one last lingering glance and left the room to go speak with his family.
"You want us to tell everyone Tauriel is dead?!" The entire company apart from Dwalin, who was guarding the door, stood in the infirmary once again.
Fili nodded at his mother who was looking uncomfortable with the idea. "Yes. I think it will be a quicker, and cleaner way to flush out everyone who is involved."
The blonde prince then turned to the captain of the guard, who was rubbing his chin as he considered Fili's proposal. "Aeodhen, Viltarra gave me troubling news. She said the dwarf that came in was not stopped. Have you had guards at the cell the entire time they were down there?"
Aeodhen's eyes widened, then narrowed. "Aye, two posted at the doors from the moment the younger lass was brought in."
"Corruption in the guards? Tha' is no' good. Anyone could be commin' or goin'." Bofur sat with his feet on the bed leaning back in a chair.
Tauriel nearly had to throw her favorite hatted dwarf out when he took out his beloved pipe and began lighting it, until he stopped at her request and happily put it away for her. It usually never bothered her, but whenever Kili came home reeking of smoke, even earlier in her pregnancy, she would get nauseous. Tauriel has had enough of being sick and so far, today had been the first day in a month she has kept her food down. She planned on keeping it that way.
"Yes, but we have an in if Fili is right. Viltarra will see anyone who should not be there and let him know who it was. We could have a list of conspirators by the end of the week." Tauriel added in, the years she spent on the guard, and then as an elven captain, making itself apparent in her drive to figure out who was involved. Not to mention she would love nothing more than the chance to stick an arrow in whomever had been causing her pain and misery these last few months…and who was very close to killing her child.
Although, what Tauriel did not like, was the idea of her friends mourning her when she is just fine, if not a little tired and still annoyingly weak. The weakness she discovered when she tried to get out of bed only to nearly fall to the floor on shaky legs. Kili has had to help her to the washroom…several times.
Tauriel sighed and shook her head. "I am a little concerned about Viltarra's safety. I don't want any harm to come to her if those who are to blame are more dangerous then we know. Perhaps it would be best to find a way to release her and send Kaw down there to listen. He can hide in the shadows and report to us just as well."
"Kaw is just a baby, amralime. That kind of skill takes practice, training, and talent even for a raven as clever as ours." The bird in question sat on the back of Bofur's chair and gave a hearty croak then a soft purr at his name being mentioned. Of course, Kili was right, Tauriel thought. He was still just a baby.
Thorin looked pensive beside Balin. "If we decide to do this, it will be a very small window to get word out and find the weak links in their armor. Tauriel is a large part of this mountain. A viewing will be demanded, not to mention word could get to Mirkwood and Dale and we would have even more to placate. I really don't want it to get to that point."
"Maybe we don't even have to say anything." Fili suggested.
Thorin looked at his nephew, both question and curiosity in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Fili folded his arms and leaned against the wall he stood beside. "Rumors are already spreading and the only one who has heard about Tauriel's supposed demise is Gildridd, and Viltarra. Let the rumors do the work and we are not in any way deceiving the mountain. It will all end up being just a misunderstanding. Rumors, can be forgiven."
Thorin stared off thoughtfully into the distance for a moment as he considered the idea, then turned to Balin who nodded in agreement. "Aye, a good idea lad. I think it would be the best way Thorin."
Finally, Thorin nodded his assent. "I will allow for the rumor to circulate, but I will not approve a formal announcement, nor will we be saying anything. I do not like the idea of deceit for deceit. If anyone asks, rebuff them, turn the conversation, or if you cannot, just avoid the subject altogether."
Tauriel visibly relaxed. She too did not like the idea, but she could stomach it being a rumor, and one thing dwarrows are good at, is spreading rumors.
When there were a few minutes of silence, Naurfaer's voice filled the air. "The kitchen is nearly ready in the royal wing, a few more hours and it should be done."
"Thank you Naurfaer. We all need to be on our toes." There was a round of nods as Thorin looked to his captain. "Aeodhen, Viltarra gave Fili a description of who was in the cell room, figure out who he is but do not bring him in for questioning yet. Inform me when you have information and we will make a plan from there." Aeodhen bowed his understanding.
Thorin looked around the room. "Everyone else, mistakes will be made by those responsible. Listen, watch, and report anything that seems off. Even the littlest thing could cause a rift. Kili…" Thorin turned to his youngest nephew. "I may need you to step in."
Kili immediately shook his head, a dark expression falling on his face. "No! I am not leaving Tauriel. I did that for two months and this is where we ended up."
Thorin sighed. He thought this might be a problem. "Kili I know you want to stay, but, if it is the Lords involved seeing you might be the push needed for this to end. I will have someone with Tauriel at all times, of your choosing, both inside, and at the door. She will never be alone, I swear it to you."
Tauriel gripped Kili's hand tightly, and turned her green eyes onto her husband. "Do as he say's meleth nin. Let us be free of this sooner rather than later." Kili looked unsure for a moment but finally agreed with a single nod, before slumping back against the wall behind the bed. Tauriel laced their fingers together, and leaned her head on his shoulder; the young prince perking up just a bit at the action.
Thorin nodded. "Perfect. Tell no one of Tauriel's condition, that means your family and friends as well. Let the rumor do its work. Everyone got it?" A round of yesses filled the room.
Tauriel looked around at all her family and friends then stopped and looked around again. "Naurfaer…where is Legolas? Did not you say he was staying?"
Naurfaer scrunched his nose in thought, then looked at his granddaughter. "Who?"
Tauriel narrowed her eyes at the clearly selectively senile elf. "Legolas." She repeated slowly and clearly.
It took a moment, everyone holding in a laugh before Naurfaer seemed to recall another he was supposed to be watching. "Oh, right. Thranduil's little sapling."
Bofur shook his head in amusement. "Weren't yeh goin' teh tell the lad we were meetin'. I assumed 'e was jus' wantin' teh stay and finish up. Take it yeh jus' forgot about 'im." They had all left before the meeting, Bofur to close up his shop with Bifur, and Gloin was acting as a runner between Thorin and Naurfaer.
When the meeting was called, Naurfaer had meant to tell the prince across the room, who was ripping out charred counters and piling them in a barrel to be taken out, but he got distracted…sort of. Well, distracted was not the right word…he just did not want to interrupt the clearly focused elven tree sprout.
"I did not forget." Everyone gave him a look causing the elf to bristle. "Right. I better go and fill him in, working hard, that elf, probably could use a break about now." He inched towards the door and left causing the room to erupt with laughter, though Tauriel did not look amused.
"Ah come on lass, yeh did no' notice yerself until we were done. Yer jus' as bad. Wha' do they say 'bout the tree an apple?" Tauriel blushed, but Bofur was right, she definitely had making up to do to her poor friend. Who knows what Naurfaer had him doing. She tried to imagine the elven prince stocking pantries and cleaning stoves but nothing looked right. She will talk to Legolas later.
Everyone now had their assignments and most left the room to prepare for what was to come. The next few days were sure to be taxing, for everyone.
As the rumor of their expecting princess entering the afterlife poured through the halls, corridors, stairs, and chambers many throughout the mountain bowed their heads in grief for the elven warrior turned friend, while one smiled widely in the mirror.
Original Authors Note: I was going to add this into another chapter, but I decided to just end it here. The next one is longer.
I really do hope this isn't becoming something overly repetitive or over done! It is what it is though at this point because I don't want to re-write it. I will finish proofing this ACT up and decide what to do from there. I guess we shall see hmmm? Thank you for your patience and support during my downwards slope to losing my mind and emotional stability this quarter. At least I have this story at the moment. As long as you guys seem to like it, I will try to keep posting. I will see you guys later. :)