Chapter 41: Unwilling Guests

Sara's toes were peeking out of the end of her boots by the time Blondie called a halt to the day's march, at least what was left of her boots anyway. She sighed bent to remove the forlorn footwear. The treads were almost completely worn away and the leather was faded and cracked from the exposure to sun, rain, and dirt. She was on the fourth pair of leather ties Bifur had cut for her to replace the shoelaces that had snapped months ago. She massaged her foot, groaning as she bumped a blister that was beginning to form on the outside of her little toe.

"Are you quite well?" asked Bilbo as he came to sit next to her on the ground under the watchful eyes of the elves. The rest of the company were led by the Elf Brothers, Crooked Jaw, and Ribbon Boy and forced to sit along the edge of the square pad. Apparently, even the elves used the pads along the trail for campsites.

"Yeah, just a few blisters," she said, watching with interest as the Elf Brothers disappeared into the forest and Crooked Jaw set about preparing a fire, leaving Ribbon Boy to stand guard over the dwarves. Bofur was whispering to some of the others and Sara wondered if they were planning some form of escape, but the snickers a few seconds later persuaded her otherwise. They were probably poking fun at their elf guards, and judging by the irritated look on Ribbon Boy's face, he suspected as much as well. Tauriel and Blondie had taken the stag and hung it from a low branch in a tree till the fire could be made, but at a command from Blondie, Tauriel came to stand near her and Bilbo.

"Are you in charge of guarding us?" asked Sara after a few moments silence.

"Babysit might be a more appropriate term," said the elf, not looking at her but instead watching the dwarves. "You hardly pose a threat, especially without weapons."

"We're not completely helpless," said Sara, pulling on a boot a bit more forcefully then she had intended. She was rewarded with a rip. Her toes were now sticking entirely out of the front of her boot.

"Be that as it may, Legolas has assigned me to watch after you." Sara's head snapped up.

"Legolas? Like as in, Legolas Greenleaf, the prince of Mirkwood Legolas?"

"What other Legolas is there?" said Tauriel, amused.

"So just to be clear," asked Sara, her mind reeling. "Blondie over there is Legolas." She pointed to where he stood examining the blade of Orcrist, turning it this way and that to catch the light.

"I would not let him hear you call him that, he may not appreciate it, but yes, you are correct," confirmed Tauriel.

Sara left off tying her shoes as her thoughts raced. She hadn't thought to meet anyone other than Gandalf from The Fellowship of the Ring. The hobbits she knew were not born yet, and neither was Boromir. Aragorn was numenorean and lived a longer life, so he could be alive, but Sara did not remember anything from the books about his earlier years. Gimly was of course alive, but still too young to join in this quest let alone the fellowship. That left only Legolas the elf prince who was undoubtedly old enough to have been alive a couple millennia, but she had hardly expected to see him. She studied him trying to imagine the elf who would someday become best friends with Gimly. If she really thought about it, it made sense. They were, after all, being taken to see the King of Mirkwood, and it was only natural that Legolas, the Prince of Mirkwood, would be closed by. Drat the hobbit book and its limited information. She would not have even known King Thranduil's name if it weren't for the dwarves. A thought struck her and she froze. There was no way that Legolas was not going to be wrapped up in the upcoming battle, one way or another. Neither he nor his father could be allowed to die. Legolas for obvious reasons, but if Thranduil were to die, Legolas would become King of Mirkwood. If that happened Legolas would most certainly not be joining the fellowship. She groaned internally. Her list of people to watch out for was growing. It was a bit ironic, she thought, that she would be the one looking out for Legolas, even if he didn't know it. She shook her head and resumed tying her boot laces but unintentionally pulled them too tight. The leather cord snapped and she cursed softly.

"Your footwear has seen better days," said Tauriel, looking down at her. "Perhaps it is time you acquired better."

"Point out the nearest shoe shop and I would gladly comply," said Sara, sighing as she tucked the broken lace into her pocket before doing her best with the shortened string.

"They are of very strange make," said the elf bending to touch a finger to a seam in the leather. "I have never seen the like, they are however, irredeemable."

"Well they have walked a very long way," said Sara absent-mindedly.

"Indeed," said Tauriel, digging in her pack before withdrawing some strips of leather. "Whether I believe your tale or not, the fact still remains that your shoes are unfit for travel. It will be a two days march before we arrive at the halls of the Woodland realm, but perhaps a temporary fix will see you there. May I?" she asked, gesturing at Sara's boot. In reply Sara held out her foot to Tauriel who wrapped the leather tightly around it. "That should see you there," she said once she had finished both feet.

"It will work for now," said Sara, tapping her toes together. "Thank you. Although I won't be able to take them off until we get there. My feet will stink something terrible."

"You already smell," said Tauriel, wrinkling her nose. It stung, but Sara knew she was right.

"I don't suppose…" began Bilbo.

"What is it little one?" asked the elf.

"I don't suppose the king will allow us to bathe once we arrive?" asked Bilbo, hopefully. Tauriel was silent for a moment.

"Hard to say," she replied finally. "He may, then again if your companions are ill mannered, he may simply lock you up. Especially if your tales to him are not any more truthful."

The Elf Brothers returned with bundles of wood and the fire was soon started. The deer was cut into strips that were roasted and smoked over the flames. Sara and Bilbo were kept close to Tauriel and Legolas and away from the dwarves. Thorin, Fili, and some of the others were none too happy with this arrangement but said nothing, only watching. They sat near the fire as the meat popped and sizzled, all the elves save Legolas gathered around. The elf prince was perched on a low branch of a tree keeping watch. Bilbo's stomach gurgled loudly.

"Would you care for some Master Baggins?" asked Ribbon Boy, holding out a spit of meat to the hobbit, a kind smile on his lips.

"What about my companions?" asked Bilbo, glancing at Sara and then at the dwarves over his shoulder. "They are just as hungry as I."

"I doubt it," said Crooked Jaw. "They stole two pouches of our bread."

"Here take it," said Ribbon Boy. "They may not feel full, but they are in no danger of starvation in the near future. You on the other hand are appallingly thin for a hobbit." Bilbo's face flushed as he rubbed one grimy foot over the other.

"I had some of your bread. An entire piece to myself," he said, pulling the leaf wrapping from his pocket. "I won't eat in front of my friends."

"Suit yourself," said Ribbon Boy, taking a bite of hot meat, breathing around his teeth trying to cool the food.

"Airidan," said Legolas from his place in the tree. Ribbon boy raised his head listening. "Take some to the dwarves."

Airidan swallowed hastily, tears rising to his eyes before he choked out, "Are you sure?" Legolas nodded. Shaking his head, Airidan got to his feet.

"Come," said Tauriel, stepping forward to help. "There is more than we can eat before it spoils. Better eaten by dwarves than wasted." She gathered some spits together and together they approached the dwarves. They stood in front of Thorin and Fili and held out the food. Fili reached forward and took the food with a nod of thanks, but Thorin turned away and would not take the meat offered by Tauriel. And so it seemed to go down the line with Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Nori, Bombur and Ori all accepting, while Dori, Gloin, Oin, Kili, and Dwalin refused, Kili with a huff of irritation for Tauriel, and Dwalin spitting at Airidan's feet in contempt. Sara shook her head in frustration, but if she were honest it was more than she had expected. The elves returned and offered once again to Sara and Bilbo, and this time they both took the proffered meat. It felt good to have something weightier in her stomach, for while the bread had restored her energy and strength, it did little to fill her stomach in a satisfying way. Having finished one skewer, Sara threw it into the fire and watched it catch and burn.

"Here," said Tauriel, reaching forward to offer another. "Take this one as well. The meat will not last past midday tomorrow, so eat your fill. You to Master Baggins." Bilbo eagerly took another. Sara twisted the stick in her fingers, thinking. She felt eyes on her and looked up to see Legolas watching her with mild curiosity.

"Can I take more to my friends?" she asked him.

"Why would you want to do that," grunted Crooked Jaw, grabbing another spit. "They will just turn it down. They are all ungrateful rock pickers." Sara turned to him glaring.

"If you mean that they are less than content to be your prisoners, then yes. If you mean they are prideful and dislike handouts from you, then yes. If you mean that they think that this meat should have been theirs to begin with, then yes. We have been without food for almost five days now and clean water that doesn't taste like old socks for almost as long. We've been attacked by spiders, had most of our food stolen or spoiled, all while trudging through this miserable forest. Despite your assertion that the path keeps those on it safe, there is something wrong about this place. I haven't felt right since we entered. All things considered, I would say that their manners and attitudes have been quite commendable."

"And what of your friend Dwalin," sneered Crooked Jaw, jabbing a thumb in the direction of the surly dwarf warrior.

"Dwalin is a special case, but even he has been pleasant… for him." Crooked Jaw snorted in disbelief. "Your just mad he knocked your head in," replied Sara snidely. There were several hoots of derision from the dwarves. Crooked Jaw's face turned red and he opened his mouth to protest but was stopped by another voice.

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"Leave her be Ruven," said Legolas leaning back against the tree, his leg dangling carelessly in the air. "As a human she feels all these things even more than her companions, so we will forgive her outburst. No doubt she is tired from being in our forest. We bear up under it well, but the other races are affected by it in ways we are not." Ruven, or Crooked Jaw, huffed but let the matter drop. Sara looked to Legolas.

"May I take some food to them? They may take it from me rather than from an elf."

"First tell me this," said Legolas, the dull glow of the fading forest light seeming to turn his bleach blonde hair green. "How did you obtain water without leaving the path?"

"The same way we recovered our companions, using a rope when we heard a stream off the path."

"Then why does your water taste like dirty socks?"

"Because more recently we resorted to collecting rainwater in our blankets and squeezing it into our skins. Not the best but better than going thirsty." The elf prince shook his head.

"Myrin, Lierin," he called. The Elf Brothers looked up in tandem.

"Collect their water skins and fill them with clean water." Legolas turned to Sara. "You may try and offer food to them again, but don't be surprised if they spurn your offer. Dwarves are like the rocks they hew; cold, hard, and unforgiving."

"That's not my experience with them," said Sara. "I may not have lived as long as you, but I dare say I have had more experience with dwarves in the last few months than you have in your entire life."

"I have lived a very long time," said Legolas, clearly skeptical.

"Perhaps, but I would wager you have not had a dwarf you could call a friend."

"No I have not," he admitted.

"Then you would not know, would you?"

"What could you know that I do not?" asked Legolas, his eyebrows raised.

"Dwarves may be stubborn, but they are stubbornly loyal to those things and people they care about. Despite what you might think they can be very forgiving, even if they don't agree with you and you don't deserve it. And dwarves are anything but cold. They are warm both in heart and body. Trust me, on a cold wet night nothing beats sleeping between a pair of dwarves and I have never found anyone who care about or for me so much as Fili and Kili do. Clearly you don't know much about them if you think them cold, hard, and unforgiving. But that's because you never spent time around them, have you."

"Never more than could be helped," said Legolas dismissively, waving a hand. "Go tend to your friends." She turned just as Myrin and Lierin disappeared into the foliage, the waterskins of the company slung over their shoulders. She went first to Thorin and held out the stick of meat to him but he shook his head. She sighed in irritation and held the food closer.

"I don't see why you should turn up your nose at perfectly good food. We haven't had good meat, or any for that matter since the eagles. It will go to waste if you don't eat it."

"Then you eat it," he said, looking at her. "You need it more than I do."

"They are feeding me enough." He didn't reply. "Thorin," she said gently. "Take it. We are likely to be with them for a couple days if not weeks." No reply. "Do you really not intend to eat that whole time simply because it is elves who offer it to you?"

"And if I did?" he asked, though she could tell by his tone he didn't mean it.

"What if I said I will only eat when you do," she countered.

"That is an underhanded trick," he said, taking the meat from her grudgingly.

"All is fair in love and war," she said.

"And which is this?" he asked so quietly she almost didn't hear him. She paused and looked at him, cocking her head to the side, thinking.

"A bit of both I think," she whispered before moving to Fili who took another skewer without complaint. Kili was next. Her tactic with him was much simpler. The moment he opened his mouth to protest she stuffed the skewer into his mouth like a dog chewing on a stick. He glowered up at her, but she ignored his irritation. "Eat," she commanded, before moving on… on to Dwalin.

"Shove it in my mouth like that lass and..." growled Dwalin.

"And what?" she countered wearily. "You won't talk to me anymore? You're already doing that." He looked away. "Do you want any?" He shook his head, wincing as he shifted position. "Have it your way," she said as she moved past him. But she couldn't help but add, "You should let the elves look at your shoulder. They may have a remedy we don't. Even if they don't, it might convince them we're not lying about the spider's." She gave another spit of deer meat to Balin and then Bifur and Bofur.

"Don't ya worry about them personal items," said Bofur just before she turned to go. "They are quite safe in that box of yers." She turned back to him and he winked. She looked at him puzzled. Bofur made out like it was some sort of spell on the box, which she reminded herself was entirely possible. She hoped so. She didn't relish explaining her phone to the elves even if it was not charged. She returned with meat for the others, all save Gloin accepting a skewer. Well it was better than the elves had managed at any rate. To Sara's surprise Legolas soon ordered the fire to be smothered and the last of the meat was divvied up as the camp was made ready for night fall.

"Bring out the lanterns," ordered Legolas. Tauriel dug into her pack and produced glass orbs about the size of Sara's fist, and Airidan and Ruven fitted slender poles into little holes around the edges of the stone pad at each of the four corners and the midpoint of each side. Tauriel held each of the orbs in her hand and after whispering something to each they lit up with a red light. These were hung from each of the poles and soon the entire area was bathed in a horrific crimson glow.

"What an ominous color," said Bilbo, shuddering. "Most unnatural."

"It repels the moths and bats while still providing light," said Tauriel.

"Actually," said Sara as a bat careened through camp. "It's not really that it repels them. Insects just can't see red light, in fact most animals can't. So instead of attracting them, they simply don't see anything and thus don't linger as they did with our fires. It's quite ingenious really."

"So it's not magic?" asked Bilbo, sounding disappointed. Sara shrugged and they both looked at Tauriel.

"A bit," admitted the elf. "Your friend is right about red light, but there's also some magic that fuels the constant even glow inside the orbs. A bit of both knowledge and magic."

"Will it repel the spiders?" asked Sara nervously.

"We have told you already, they cannot harm you while you were on this path. It is protected by the king's magic."

"Then either your king's magic is weakening or the spiders and the forest are getting stronger," said Sara.

"There is nothing wrong with my father's magic," cut in Legolas from the tree. "You are safe on the path."

"Safe as a fly in a spider's web," called Bofur in a carrying voice. Several of the company grumbled an agreement.

"That is utter nonsense," insisted Legolas. "No such thing has ever happened."

"Still," said Thorin. "We will be keeping a watch tonight."

"No need. Airidan and Ruben will be on guard."

"Perhaps, but they will have their eyes on us and not the forest, thus we will keep a watch of our own."

"Do as you please," said Legolas, shaking his head. "But it is unnecessary."

Myrin and Lierin returned from the ever growing shadows of the forest, heavy laden with full water skins, which they dropped unceremoniously into the laps of the dwarves, Sara, and Bilbo. She took a long slow drink, savoring the clean water.

"How do you manage to navigate the forest without getting lost, forgetting your purpose, or falling asleep?" she asked as she recapped her water and stowed it in her pack.

"We are elves," said Myrin, the younger looking of the two brothers. "The path is always visible to us. Likewise the forest does not affect us. Even for you it would be easy enough with concentration and practice."

"We found that pain clears your mind," said Sara.

"I suppose that does work, but it is primitive," said Lierin, rubbing his smooth chin.

"And the ferns?" she asked.

"There is a simple but temporary remedy for that," supplied Tauriel. "One need only take a piece of the ferns stalk and hold it under their tongue. Not only will it keep you from sleeping for at least two hours, but it will also wake one who has already succumbed."

"Wish we had known that a few weeks ago," said Sara shivering as a breeze blew by. She picked up her pack and stood.

"Where are you going?" asked Tauriel, watching her.

"To bed," said Sara simply.

"Lay out your role here," said Tauriel, gesturing to the ground beside her.

"No offence, but I have a better offer," she said, turning around to face the elves. "I don't know if you have noticed, but my clothes are not exactly the warmest and the nights here are cold. On top of that I have not been properly dry since entering this forest. Unless you intend to keep me warm yourself, I know of a spot between two dwarf princes that promises at least warmth."

"Do you not have a coat?" asked Legolas looking down at her, assessing.

"Not anymore," she said, her voice quieting. "It got burned."

"Burned?" he asked. "How?" She raised her wrist so he could see the pale scars.

"Azog," she replied without feeling.

"Why?" asked the elf prince.

Sarah looked to Thorin hesitant to answer. He shook his head minutely. He was right, while some things did not pertain directly to the quest, the reason Azog sought her and her origins could only lead in one direction. Too many people already knew about her, and she was reluctant to add to that list. She was prepared to tell the elf king if that's what it took to secure his cooperation, but she had yet to even convince Thorin to play nice. She looked up at Legolas where he sat leaned back against the trunk of the tree, his leg dangling and his blue eyes locked with hers, as if willing her to speak. Breaking eye contact she looked to the side, hitching her pack higher.

"Does he need a reason other than cruelty's sake?" she asked.

"Given his reputation, I would say not," said Legolas after a moments silence. "I'm sorry, it is probably a distasteful topic to you."

"Yeah, not really my favorite," agreed Sara, turning to walk away. She half expected the elves to call out to her again, but once she had closed half the distance between her and the dwarves, her shoulders relaxed and her step grew more confident. Bilbo wavered for a moment before grabbing his pack and following her. Fili waved her over as best he could with his hands still bound in front of him, and she was about to sit between him and Kili, but as she dropped her pack to the ground Thorin spoke, his voice low and quiet.

"Sara here," he said, nodding to the space between him and Fili. "Bilbo there between Fili and Kili." Sara was surprised there was enough room between them on the rope but within several minutes she and Bilbo were laid out along with the rest of the company, save Balin and Ori who were on watch. Airidan and Ruven also took up positions near the company, watching. She lay curled next to Fili and soon his breathing had evened out. She peeked up at Thorin through her lashes. He had yet to lay down, but sat watching the elves in the red glow of the lanterns light. After a long while she could hear the snores of most of the company, though she was not surprised to look over and see Dwalin also watching the elves, scowling. Laying here she could feel the metal key inside her bra, and she shifted her gaze back to Thorin. She reached her hand out from under the blanket towards his thigh and gently tapped him. He looked down at her.

"You should rest. Who knows what tomorrow brings," she said.

"Perhaps," he replied. "Why do you not sleep?"

"I can't seem to get comfortable," she half lied. "Bras can be very finicky to sleep in." He looked at her, startled by her cander. She bugged her eyes a bit, hoping he would catch on. To her relief light sprung to his eyes.

"No doubt. You do have strange undergarments. Not at all like dwarf women. Does anything else ale you?"

"I miss pillows," she said, sighing quietly. "Often Fili will let me put my head on his arm but its not the same, besideds he's turned the other way." His eyes darted to the elves on watch but they both had their attention on Dwalin.

"You could lay your head on my leg if you wish," he said, extending the leg closest to her. She scooted over and lay on her side facing him, her head resting on his thigh.

"Is that more suitable?" he asked.

"Yes. Thank you," she said pulling the thin dirty blanket up over her ears. Under cover of the cloth she lifted her shirt, her fingers reaching between her breasts for the warm key. Thorin watched out of the corner of his eyes as she shifted, pulling her shirt back down. Still under the blanket, she fumbled for a moment before undoing the tie of his hip pouch. He leaned forward slightly, obscuring her from sight of the elves as she slipped the key inside and retied the strings. She was relieved to have the key returned to him, he too seemed a little more at ease. She lay still for a while before speaking.

"Is your leg okay? I could use my pack if it's falling asleep." He snorted.

"My leg is in no danger," he assured. His bound fingers began to play with her hair which was loose, save for Fili's braid. She glanced up at him and quirked an eyebrow.

"The Elves and the others may see," she whispered.

"Let them," he said after a moment. "It won't be a secret for much longer and I prefer you close to me. Fili can hardly complain; I have not overstepped my bounds, even if you are intended to be his heart sister."

"Are you sure?" she asked, studying his face.

"I am certain," he said, drawing her closer to him. "Stay like this and sleep." She briefly considered moving back to Fili, for her back was exposed to the night air, but Thorin's fingers in her hair convinced her otherwise. Perhaps the night would not be so cold after all.