Hey all! I am so sorry this is so late getting out. Just had to get by the whole mental health thing and then figuring out what I was going to do with this story going forward. But, I think I have something that is suitable. I am goiug to have it that Thorin was actually of age when Caladwen first visited Erebor, and was at the right age to where he could think about potential suitors and such. Their relationship would have started our as puppy love where Thorin would've asked her to court him, where their relationship would have gotten stronger. But, since the separation, absence rea;;y ,ade the heart grow fonder. I'm also going to have it where the dwarves age much longer than they would normally do, given that I want her and Thorin to have a good live with their future children. I would like to thank Tibblets, LILI DURIN and StrangeWinter for their suggestions.

Review responses;

Conri Nightwalker – I'm trying my hardest not to rush. I have been going back through previous chapters and making edits here and there, so they will be updated as soon as I get them all done.

LadyHuggins – I'm glad you enjoyed these chapters and hope you continue to do so as the story goes on x

LILIDURIN – Yep, I'm back and hope you continue to enjoy x

Tibblets – Thank you for your suggestion. I would make it friendship from the beginning instead, but my plans for this had always been for them to have been in a relationship before Smaug attacked. I know that Dajn was actually the one to defeat Azog and now know the whole timeline and such that was from the book.

LILIDURIN – Thank you for your advice. It's going to be my headcanon where Thorin in his fifties/sixties when Caladwen first went to Erebor. I'm also glad that you never thought of Caladwen as a predator.

StrangeWinter – Thank you for your advice. I've actually been thinking about doing a new story where the OC was actually the youngest daughter of Elrond and first meets the dwarves in Bag End. Please let me know if this is something you would like to see x

Chapter 20

After taking my leave from my father, I make my way through the twists and turns of my old home, the paths still committed to memory after almost two centuries of being away. Just like dwarves, the memory of elves are indeed long, as if I would ever forget my old home so easily. Even though my last days spent here were pained and miserable, I still had my happy memories to look back on, the memories I made with my brother and Tauriel.

I soon make my way to the door of the dungeons and walk down, bypassing the guards and ignoring their stares as I descend the stairs that lead to the cells.

"Caladwen!" I hear Bofur's voice call out.

I look up and smile as I see the dwarves at the doors looking out towards me. At least I know they're alright. Although I never believed my kin would hurt them, I still know of their dislike to the dwarves.

"Are you alright, lass?" Dwalin asks as I go past his cell.

"I'm fine, don't worry." I reply.

Going past the cells, I check up on everyone, and stop when I come to Thorin's cell, taking his hand as he reaches out to me.

"I'm sorry this had to happen, meleth nin." I say as I kneel down on the ground.

Thorin smiles as he shakes his head. "You have no reason to apologise for this, us being imprisoned was not your doing."

"But still, I hate to see you locked up like this, I know how it feels and I did not want this to happen."

Thorin gives me a sad, understanding smile as he reaches up and cups my cheek.

"At least in this situation, we are all here together. If I could, I would have been there for you when you needed me."

I smile as I turn and place a kiss on his palm. "I know you would have, and just the thought of you is what kept me going."

He smiles as he takes my hands. "What did your father talk with you about?"

I look down at our hands. "We talked about you mostly. You and the gems. He-he tried to make a deal with me."

He looks alarmed by this. "What deal?"

"He said that he would allow us to leave and finish what we planned to do, but once the quest was over, I was to return with the gems he seeks and never return to you."

I feel him take a tighter hold of my hands and his expression darkens a little. "What did you say?"

"I declined him of course. Even though I would wish for your freedom, and it may be selfish on my part, but I refuse to be separated from you again."

His smile returns, a hint of pride shining in his eyes. "Good. I would not have allowed you to accept that anyway. We have been separated for far too long already. As I promised Frerin, now I have you, I am not going to let you go again."

I smile at this, my heart bursting from the love I have for this dwarf.

When the time comes for me to leave the dwarves to get some rest, I take my leave. Walking through the familiar halls of my old home, I make my way to my old room.

As I am walking, I pause as I hear footsteps from behind, I turn but see nothing, although I recognise the steps as Bilbo's, I do not see the Hobbit anywhere, and since there are no places for him to hide, I find it hard to believe he has just disappeared.

"Bilbo? Is that you?" I ask quietly.

There is no answer, but I do feel something take my hand, although nothing is there, giving it a squeeze.

I nod. "Okay. I do not know how you are doing this, but come with me."

Feeling another squeeze letting me know he understood, I turn to continue on my way before I am stopped again by my name being called. Turning back, I smile as I see Tauriel walking towards me.

"Tauriel, it is wonderful to see you again."

"As it is to see you, muinthel."

As she reaches me, we embrace one another and I just smile. I have missed Tauriel so much since I left. Her and Legolas. As we pull away, she frowns as she looks over the scars on my face.

"What happened to you?"

"That is a long story. One that I would be more comfortable talking about in private. If you have time, I was just going to my room, if you would like to join me."

She nods. "I have time. I have just come from delivering my report to your father."

I just roll my eyes as we walk on. "How did that go?"

She sighs as she shakes her head. "Just as well as I thought it was going to go."

I scoff as I open the door to my room when we arrive. "And with my father, that means not very well at all."

While in the privacy of my room, she opens up on her thoughts.

"Your father would have us hide away here instead of going out there to protect our forest, our home, and refuses to stop the darkness from spreading."

Nodding, I sit at my table after shutting the door. "That sounds about right."

Looking around the room, I notice that it looks so clean, looking as though I had never left. I believed that with me gone, father wouldn't care about what happened to my room, as though if he did not see it empty, he could believe I was still here, I had not betrayed him and ran away.

"Legolas and I kept it clean for you." Tauriel explains as she sits with me after lighting the fire. "We knew you would return one day, we just were not sure when."

I smile at her. "I thank you for that, muinthel. And I also thank you for what you did for me before." I continue the next sentence quietly. "Did father suspect you had anything to do with my leaving?"

She gives a slight shrug of the shoulder. "If he did, he did not say anything. To be honest, when you left, he never really spoke about you. So, I think if he did, he just did not want to bring you up in conversation."

I nod at this. "I expected as much."

She smiles at me. "Though it seemed to have worked out well. You reunited with Thorin at least."

I give a tight smile. "Only recently I am afraid."

Tauriel frowns as she looks at me. "Recently? But, you left a hundred and seventy one years ago. How did you only just recently reunite with him?"

I let out a sigh as I sit back against my chair. "That is included in the story I want to share."

And with that, we both got comfortable as I tell her of what I went through since leaving the woods. First meeting the dwarven camp, the battle at Moria, my capture – which she was horrified to hear – and then finally to our reunion in the Shire. By the end, Tauriel was looking at me in horror and sadness.

"Oh, Caladwen. I am so sorry you have to go through so much. I should have left and come with you."

I smile as I shake my head. "Do not be sorry. It all worked out in the end. Thorin and I are together once again. That is all that matters."

She smiles as she pats my hand. "Well, I am happy for you. You deserve all the happiness this world can give you."

I smile. "Thank you, Tauriel, I appreciate that."

She sits back. "You mentioned reuniting in the Shire. Why there of all places?"

I pause for a moment. Father already knows about our quest anyway, so I do not think there would be any trouble in telling her a little bit.

"Gandalf. He had recruited a Hobbit, of all races, to join us. In the end, he did not want to come. Not that I can blame him. The Shire is beautiful. I would not want to leave."

She nods. "I had heard about the beauty of the Hobbit lands. I had hoped to see it for myself one day."

I smile. "Maybe you will, one day."

After a few more minutes of us talking, she bids goodnight and goes to leave the room.

"Tauriel, could I ask for a favour?"

She turns to me. "Of course, anything."

"I do not know if you have anything to do with. . .the prisoners." I almost choked on that word. "But, could you make sure they are well fed and get baths? I want them to be as comfortable as they can be while here. I had asked Legolas to make sure they are well, but with how close he is to father. . ."

She gives a sympathetic nod. "I understand. I will see what I can do. I promise."

I smile and thank her before she leaves, shutting the door behind her. I just sigh as I look around my room once more. I am happy to finally be home, to be in familiar surroundings, however, I am not happy at the circumstances of my return.

"Thank goodness, I was afraid she would never leave." Bilbo's voice suddenly speaks up.

Even though I knew he had followed me in, I still have to hold back a scream as I jump up, spinning around to see Bilbo sitting in my armchair by the window.

"Bilbo! By Eru, you are safe."

I stride over and hold him close, causing him to chuckle as I feel his arms go around me. We pull away after a few moment and I lay my hands on his shoulders.

"Are you alright? You are not hurt, are you?"

He shakes his head with a smile. "I am fine, don't worry. Just a few scrapes."

I nod as I sit with him. "I am happy to see you safe, my friend. But, how did you manage to sneak in here? No one enters these halls without my father hearing of it."

He just grins. "I am a Hobbit, we are good at hiding when we need to. Why do you think Gandalf invited me on this quest. Which reminds me, 'A Hobbit of all races?'" He gives a mock pout of anger.

I just giggle. "Now Bilbo, surely even you never thought you would be on the other side of Middle Earth right now, on the way to face a fire breathing dragon, did you?"

He continues pouting a little more before sighing. "No, I did not. But still, rude."

I giggle again. "So, you just followed us right in, did you not?"

"Why, of course I did. You didn't expect me to let you free those stubborn dwarves by yourself, did you?"

I chuckle as I shake my head. "No, I suppose not. Although, I am afraid to say, I will not be able to help you free them."

A confused frown appears on his face. "What?"

"This is my home, Bilbo, my father is the King. No one has ever left the dungeons of these halls without the consent of my father. Our cells are unbreakable, I will not be the reason that we have had a breakout. Surely you can understand that?"

He seems to think it over before he nods, an understanding smile on his face. "I can understand that. I am not sure Thorin will."

"You leave Thorin to me, I will explain it to him and makes sure he understands. I must tell you, if you do find a way to get them out, then do not tell me how or when. You may use my room to rest yourself, but I must not know anything."

He nods. "I understand."

"Good. Now, get some rest, I have a feeling you will need all the rest you can get."

He nods as he settles down on the futon and I watch as he sleeps. Bolting the door closed, I get onto the bed as exhaustion hits me and I sleep, hoping and praying that we can succeed in this quest.

Well, there we have it. Everyone is now safe. . .as safe as they can be in Mirkwood anyway. Hope you enjoyed this and stay tuned for the next chapter x