Chapter 48: Manipulation

"Thranduil you cowardly snake! Why have you done this? Why have you betrayed us?" Rage blazed wildly in Thorin's chest as he glared up at the elf king, the shackles on his wrists and ankles clicking in the pursuing silence. Thranduil stood before his throne, his back turned to Thorin who was guarded by four elves. Their spears were held at the ready, poised to strike, the threat clear.

Sara had been ripped from Thorin's side and dragged by the two guards to where only Mahal knew. Even without a weapon of his own Thorin had made an accounting of himself, leaving one unconscious guard to be carried away, and another with blood pouring from his nose, but the moment the elves held a blade to Sara's throat, all the fight had gone out of him like a snuffed candle. Sara had struggled as well but as uncoordinated as she was by the drink, her efforts amounted to little. Thorin had been shackled and dragged here to Thranduils's throne room. How much the situation had changed. Little under two weeks ago he had stood before the elf king, an unbound enemy, but now he met Thranduil as a feathered ally. The elf king turned to him, eyes flashing with barley concealed anger. His voice made no such pretense.

"You call me a snake? It is not I who have deceived a would be ally. You are the one who slithered upon your belly into my kingdom pretending goodwill while concealing the truth. You sought to ally yourself with me while withholding vital information for the safety of my people."

"What truth have we hid from you? We offered you no offence, but instead we have borne your distrust and endured your previous impositions upon us."

"You kept the true nature of one of your company from me," accused Thranduil icily.

"I should have borne you all their life stories?" scoffed Thorin. "That was their business and has little if anything to do with our own. I have sought to make an ally of you for the good of my people. I have kept nothing from you in that regard."

"Then tell me king of the dwarves, who is Sara Miller?"

Thorin's heart stopped as he struggled to control his expression. Sara? Had she been that transparent at dinner? He could admit she had been a bit careless in her speech, but nothing she said should have elicited such a response from Thranduil. Without context her words were mear gibberish. But then why had the guards called her a witch?

"We have told you, she is a woman seeking for her family in Lake town."

"So you have said but that is not all. Tell me, Thorin son of Thrain, how does a mere woman know the future unless she is some sort of witch?" How have they found out? How much do they already know? Did they have proof?

"Who told you she is a witch?"

"That is not your concern," barked Thranduil. "Is Sara Miller a witch or isn't she. Does she indeed know the future?"

"She is not and she does not," said Thorin firmly. And it was not entirely a lie, for in seeking to change future events Sara had altered them beyond even her prediction, if their current predicaments and past surprises were anything to go by. Other than large sweeping events, who but the Valar could know the future now? At any rate Sara's knowledge had never been ironclad and she had never pretended otherwise.

"You lie," spat Thranduil. "I know you lie."

"Then tell me, what proof or suspicions do you have to give substance to your ludicrous claims? How can one know the future?"

"I have the testament of a trusted friend and wise counselor."

"Who," sneered Thorin. "Produce this person if you are able."

"He has my testament," said a cool smooth voice from behind Thranduils's throne. A tall white figure stepped into view. Pail bony fingers tipped with long nails gripped an ebony staff and straight white hair fell framing the sallow face and long nose of Saruman. The wizard moved into the light, his dark eyes glittering maliciously as he stared down at Thorin, his face a mask of polite indifference. "He has my account of the council meeting with Sara in Rivendell. I came to warn King Thranduil of the danger he is housing within his walls"

Thorin's teeth cracked and groaned ominously as he set his jaw, trying to reign in his anger. This wizard was here and dared to bare false witness against him and Sara? Saruman watched Thorin looking for something.

"What danger could she possibly be to you?" snarled Thorin through clenched teeth.

"Knowledge of the future can be a powerful weapon," said Saruman, smiling grimly as he turned to face Thranduil. "Ms. Miller has already deceived my council into believing that she means no harm. But it's a lie. She could not deceive me and now you shall not be taken in either."

"I tell you Thranduil this is lunacy," shouted Thorin, yanking his hands apart trying to break the chains that bound him. The guards stepped closer, brandishing their spears. "Sara seeks to prevent death and misery wherever she may. Thranduil if you doubt her ask your son how she came to sustain the injuries she had when she arrived. It is this wizard you cannot trust. He..."

"Why should I believe you over Saruman?" asked Thranduil scornfully. "You have hitherto hid the woman's nature from me. Will you continue to deny it or do you concede that she knows the future?" Thorin hesitated. Saruman looked at him contemptuously as if daring, goading him to speak. Why? Why was this wizard here? What did he want with Sara so desperately that he would chase them all the way here from Rivendell?

"She does know the future," admitted Thorin. "After a fashion. But her knowledge is not…"

"You see," said Saruman, cutting him off. "He admits it freely. She is a witch. A harbinger of doom, more dangerous than you realize old friend."

"Sara is no witch," interjected Thorin. "She has no power, only knowledge."

"He lies. Of course she is a witch. How else could she know the future? Lady Galadriel herself could not see inside the witch's mind. Only one of great power could block The Lady's telepathy. Why block her unless the witch has some nefarious scheme to hide." Thorin opened his mouth to argue but was cut off again. "She is no friend of the people of Middle Earth. She seeks to rain down destruction and death upon this land and all surrounding it. I believe her to be a servant of the ancient evil and seeks his return." The elf king's face paled as he took in the wizard's words.

"That's a blatant lie! Thranduil, don't listen to him! Sara is not a servant of Sauron, she has been sent by…" Saruman spun, waving a hand through the air, sneering as Thorin's tongue snapped to the roof of his mouth. No matter how he tried he could not open his jaw.

"Be silent, you deceitful son of stone." Thorin raged silently as the wizard looked on with triumph in his dark eyes. This wretched wizard had dared to use magic against him. He worked against the spell that bound his tongue and was satisfied when he felt the magic give slightly. Saruman's triumph was marred by a momentary frown. Thank Mahal for making a dwarf's will as indomitable as the rock from which they were hewn.

"What have you done to him?" asked the elf king, looking uneasy.

"Simply put an end to his lies." Thranduil did not look convinced.

"And if I asked you to release him?"

"Then I shall, but hear me out first. His treachery and collusion with the witch run deeper than you yet realize. If at the end of my warning you still wish me to release him I shall abide by your will." Thranduil nodded cautiously.

"Tell me, what great danger does Sara Miller pose? How could such a one as she be involved with the enemy of old?"

"She is not all she seems. Though she appears to be an innocent young woman you have heard confirmation that she knows the future. Only one of great power could know such things; power she borrowed from a great dark force." As Thorin struggled against his internal bond he became aware of another, almost imperceptible, web of magic being gradually woven. He was still for a moment trying to discern from where and to what purpose this new spell was wrought.

"How is it even possible to know the future?" asked Thranduil. "To my knowledge no one has ever possessed such a skill other than the occasional prophetic dream."

"I do not yet know, but I intend to find out when I questioned her. For question her I must, lest we be taken unaware." The wizard's voice was smooth and silky as a rabbit's pelt and Thorin listened carefully tracking the cadence of his voice. Something was off about it.

"Unaware?" asked Thranduil, raising an eyebrow. "By what?" There was a glimmer of satisfaction in Saruman's eyes when he responded.

"When she met with the white council she told us of her knowledge and insisted that the dwarves be allowed to continue on their march to the mountain but she would not tell us why it was so important. She claimed it was in the best interest of everyone's future to keep her knowledge to herself. I was not satisfied with such evasions and sought to question her further but was thwarted by this dwarf at the time. That same night they escaped Imladris. It seems the witch was able to charm one of Elrond's house into helping them, though I have yet to discover who."

"This hardly makes her a harbinger of doom."

"Perhaps not and at the time I was still unsure, but I have thought deeply on this matter since." Thorin was still listening, growing ever aware of the invisible threads of magic twining in the air. What was going on? He struggled against the ever weakening spell that bound his tongue and jaw.

"And what did you conclude that incriminated the women?" asked the elf king skeptically.

"It's the nature of this quest that bothered me most."

"What of it?"

"It's too foolhardy. Who would honestly believe they could force a dragon from his claimed horde. Tell me, have the dwarves offered any explanation as to how they expected to achieve such an impossible task?" Thranduil glanced at Thorin, calculating.

"Not in great detail. I believe they intend to use their hobbit companion to retrieve the Arkenstone and call others of their kind to their aid."

"So goes their story," said Saruman. "But I think otherwise. How could you reasonably expect a halfling to find such a stone in the mountain of treasure that no doubt lies under the dragon's feet?" The magic in the air was growing thicker and seemed to be coalescing around the elf king. How did Thranduil not notice it? Thorin could plainly see the smirk on the wizard's face as invisible threads wove around the elf king. Why were the threads vaguely familiar to him?

"Then what would they want with Mr. Baggins?"

"While the dwarves were in Rivendell they showed an old map to Lord Elrond. This map showed the whereabouts of a secret entrance into the lower halls Erebor. If you will recall they also travel with a master thief in their ranks, though for appearances sake the halfling bears that official title." Thranduil snorted.

"Yes, Elrond informed me he was missing several items from his household, but I fail to see the connection unless you came to warn me against some petty larceny."

"Not pretty at all when it might lead to your peoples incrimination and incineration."

"Incineration?" repeated Thranduil. Thorin froze. What was the wizard driving at? It was true that Nori had incurably sticky fingers, but most often the things he collected were innocuous enough and the thief had been searched nightly. Although who knew if that measure was truly efficient, in fact Throin was reasonably sure it wasn't.

"Indeed," continued Saruman. "I believe that the witch, Sara Miller, seeks your destruction and this mission is her way of assuring it."

"But how?"

"I believe she charmed Gandalf into initiating this quest by speaking to one of his deeper fears and assuaging it. By claiming that the future he sought was possible, namely the dragon's death, she nudged him into action and thus set about the chain of events that lead to this dwarven quest."

"So you believe this quest to be a farce?"

"Yes my colleague was taken in and so were the dwarves... at first."

"What do you mean at first?"

"Tell me old friend, do you really believe that this dwarf king means you no ill will when he has hated you and been raised to despise your people his entire life?" Thorin struggled harder, the spell on his tongue almost broken. He had to stop the wizard. He was sowing seeds, nay full grown trees of doubt in the elf king's heart. But with a twinge of bitter regret he had to admit that the seeds of doubt had probably been there since the time of his grandfather.

"I had hoped we were beyond such things," said Thranduil regretfully, not looking at Thorin.

"With the insanity that rages in that particular bloodline? No my friend you must not deceive yourself. It would be very dangerous to forget the past." Thranduils's face fell momentarily but then hardened into a mask of indifference. The magic around the elf was now so strong that Thorin despaired of winning back the elf king for he now knew the nature of the wizards spell. Saruman possessed a silver tongue, one of particular potency. Why had he not seen it before? He struggled all the more, sure that in a few minutes his tongue would be free. He had to stop this madness.

"It is true that the dwarves' madness has caused many people much grief in the past and through the years their hatred for my people has only waxed hotter."

"Then you can concede that…" began Saruman, but he paused at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. A guard climbed the last few steps and came to drop on one knee before his king, a hand clapped across his chest.

"What news?" ordered Thranduil.

"Your Majesty," said the guard, his eyes shifting to the wizard in his periphery. "We have done almost exactly as you asked."

"Almost?" prompted Thranduil coolly. "In what way are my commands not fully met?"

"Your Majesty we have misplaced the halfling," said the guard, bowing his head. "He vanished before the order was given and none have seen him since. We have notified all to be on the look out for him. I assure you, he will not remain hidden for long." Thorin felt a thrill of hope rise in him. If Bilbo were still free there was yet a chance for escape if things here could not be worked out, and that was seeming less and less probable. More footsteps approached.

"Father," called Legolas as he and Tauriel ascended the last few steps. They both looked ill at ease as they approached. The elf captain for her part was deeply troubled if the scowl and furrowed brow were any indication, where the prince was unhappy, his face creased with concern. Thranduil turned to the waiting guard and waved him away.

"Go. Recover the hobbit and place him with the others. He can not remain hidden for long."

"It will be done," replied the guard before he departed back down the long stairway.

"Father," called Legolas, stepping forward and gesturing to Thorin. "Why have you ordered this? We only just achieved peace with Thorin and his people this very afternoon and yet you have ordered that they be arrested and thrown in the cell's. What have they done to warrant such treatment?"

"Not only have they concealed the true nature of the girl from us, which in and of itself is grounds to terminate our infancy alliance, but now Saruman tells me that he believes that they are working to bring about our downfall." Legolas paused to look around and upon seeing the wizard looked even more confused and reserved.

"Young Prince Legolas," said Saruman nodding his head. Nodding curtly Legolas returned his attention to the king.

"Father little as I enjoy our current company at times, I can hardly believe that Sara and these dwarves wish any ill will for us beyond their natural propensity to stubborn secrecy. We already knew there was more to Sara then they were admitting and yet you chose to move forward with the alliance."

"A mistake on my part. Sara Miller is a witch of great power. She can predict the future. Tell me that is not something that should have been confided to us, especially as they predicted a war on the horizon." Legolas looked taken aback.

"I heard it whispered among the guards that she was a witch but took it as idle gossip."

"It is not. Even this dwarf has admitted as much. He knew of her foreknowledge." Legolas looked at Thorin, calculating, contemplating.

"Even so I find it impossible and improbable that she means us harm. If it is to be war then all the better to have her knowledge. She risked her life trying to save mine and although it was never never truly in danger she was in turn carried off by one of the spiders and nearly eaten."

"The knowledge the witch offers of the future is a falsehood. She holds back the truth while leading you all to destruction. Her act was a mere farce to win your sympathy," said Saruman. Thorin had almost broken free of the spell. He needed to act quickly. The elf king was already too far under the wizards sway, but perhaps if he could keep the prince's trust they together could work together to undo the threads woven around the elf king.

"I still cannot see it," said Legolas. "You were not there. You did not see what I did."

"Be still and listen to our esteemed guest," admonished Thranduil. "The more he speaks the more I can see the wisdom in his words. Is that not what Saruman the Wise is heralded for?"

"Forgive me," said Legolas, bowing his head in supplication to his father.

Saruman nodded gravely before speaking. "As I have said this quest was begotten in lies and false promises of the future at the will of the witch." Legolas opened his mouth to protest but Thranduil silenced him with a wave. "Her true will is to bring about the downfall of the free people of Middle Earth and see to the rise of her master the great evil."

"And just how could one such as she accomplish this unbelievable task?" asked Tauriel skeptically, unable to hold her tongue a moment longer. Thranduil glared at her but the elk captain looked unabashed, rather she appeared quite angry. Thorin could see that threads identical to those that surrounded the elf king were not winding themselves around the elf prince as well. He struggled harder. A few more moments and he would be able to speak.

"She fanned old prejudices and perceived grievances into revenge and war," said the wizard. "She knew of the sordid history between your two peoples. I believe that with the aid of their personal thief, the map of the hidden door in the mountain, and the skills of their hobbit, the dwarves intended to bring down the wrath of the dragon upon you and your people."

"I don't see how she could," said Legolas. The wizard smiled faintly.

"Allow me to connect the pieces for you," said Saruman calmly, his voice filling the room. "Their thief steals elvish supplies and artifacts, they open the mountain door and their little hobbit precedes to wake the dragon giving the false impression that elves are to blame by leaving the stolen elf goods where the dragon can find them. In his wrath Smaug awakens and flies here to destroy your kingdom. The dwarves' company is too few to face a dragon, but if they send them to you they hope that not only will he take revenge upon you, but that you in turn will slay the dragon."

"That is not true," shouted Thorin, finally breaking free. He did not pause as they all turned to look at him. "The dragon has a weakness that we intend to exploit. He has a missing scale on his left breast. We never intended..."

"Silence!" roared Thranduil. The guards around him leapt forward, their spears pressing hard into Thorin's throat and ribs. "You dare speak after all that has been revealed about you!"

"Yes I dare," shouted Thorin, ignoring the prick of the spear under his chin which drew blood. The ruby drop rolled lazily down his neck under into the collar of his tunic. "Saruman has not provided an ounce of evidence for any of his false speculations. He deceives you and you stand there and let this wizard's words charm you out of your wit!" Thorin fell quiet as Saruman gazed long and hard upon him, fighting to restore the spell of silence.

"I thought you had him enchanted," questioned Thranduil, looking to the wizard.

"I did. Regrettably drawers are resistant to most magic's and their wills are quite indomitable."

"Even for you?" The wizard scowled and nodded minutely as Thorin attempted to throw off the renewing spell.

"Do not forget who he is. He is a dwarf king of the line of Durin. Do not underestimate him, his will, or his trickery." Thorin pushed back against the wizard's will, but it was stronger this time.

"Explain then how Sara came to bear the horrible scars from Azog," questioned Tauriel, glaring at the wizard. "If she is as you say then why would Azog harm her? I have seen them, she will bear those scars forever."

"Have you forgotten the enmity between this dwarf and the white orc? Their rivalry and hatred runs deep, almost as deep as his hatred for your kind. The witch got her dark powers from the enemy but yet she has no army behind her. Instead she is sent in secret to insert herself quietly among others. She is a secret spy and a high-ranking one whereas Azog is merely a pawn. Of course he would not know her. It is not a wonder when he saw her traveling with this dwarf that he wished to inflict pain upon her. He hoped to strike at the dwarfs heart for the dwarf has been enchanted to be under the witch's sway. It is obvious that once he came to know the truth she was set free, for as Gandalf says she appeared from the forest without aid. She claimed to have escaped but I tell you she was turned loose to finish her purpose. That is why the dwarves were allowed to escape. Her mission outranked Azog's petty rivalry."

Thorin fought the spell over him, all the time watching the strands of magic draw ever tighter around the elf prince with every word the wizard spoke. He had to stop this, get the prince away from the wizard. Freeing his tongue for a few precious seconds again he looked to Tauriel knowing she was his best hope.

"You cannot stand here and listen to this wizard. Do you not see what he is doing? He seeks…" but he was cut off again, his tongue glued to the roof of his mouth. He could see real doubt in the elf captain's eyes. Had he said enough. Did she see it? His heart sank when Saruman turned its attention to Legolas. If both father and son were enchanted then all hope would be lost. Tauriel scrutinized the king and prince with an ever-growing frown. Had she sensed the spell? It was meant to be imperceptible to those upon whom it was cast, but if others knew what to look for they too could see it. Thorin prayed she had the wit to see.

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"If what you claim is true then what of the enemies to the West?" asked Legolas. "If the dwarves are under the influence of Sara and seek to set the dragon on our heads what is the purpose behind Azog and his armies or was that another of her lies?"

"No doubt the dwarves think that the witch is helping them retake the mountain but do not forget that she really seeks to bring death to all in the surrounding lands including them. Even if the dragon should fall to your warriors it would still take many of them to their graves, greatly weakening your defenses. Should the dragon fail to empty these lands of elves, men, and dwarves then the orc armies would sweep in from the west and finish the job. Either way Sauron will see his will done. He will take no risks."

"I thought Sauron was defeated," questioned the prince.

"No he was not," said Thranduil, seating himself at last upon his throne.

"Many believed so but it was not a true defeat," said Saruman. "As the witch herself pointed out at the meeting of the white council, Sauron can never truly be defeated until his ring is destroyed. He may not have physical form, but his malice and power have been growing. No doubt you have felt the dark stirring to the south in the old ruins."

"That was him?"

"Undoubtedly," said the wizard. "Little over a week ago I and the council went to drive him out of the fortress, but the ruins were empty though there were enough signs to signify a large host was stationed there. He has fled for now but who knows where to. It may have been the white orc who warned him to flee but I believe it to be the work of the witch. I believe she…"

The threads around Legolas were growing stronger as the wizard continued to speak. Tauriel stood beside him looking disbelieving. She opened her mouth to argue but Thorin, unable to speak, grunted loudly drawing her attention. The others listening to the wizard were oblivious. Tauriel looked at him confused. He shook his head and then jerked it toward the stairs. Her eyes flicked to the stairs and then back to Legolas. He nodded. More argument would only lead the spell on the prince growing even stronger. The wizard could no doubt make the elf prince believe he was a dwarf if he stood there listening long enough. What was so maddening was that the wizards arguments were filled with holes and untruths. He avoided certain topics and sidetracking where he could, but so long as he was speaking the strength of his silver tongue grew. Tauriel's eyes glinted with an idea she left Legolas aside and knelt before Thranduil.

"Your majesty, forgive me," she said, not looking up. Saruman stopped talking, waiting for Thranduil to respond.

"What is it captain?"

"I have just had an idea of where I believe Mr. Baggins to be hiding, something he said at dinner."

"Then by all means go and retrieve him," said the elf king waving a hand airily.

"Forgive me, but I require the prince's help. The area in question is of a delicate nature and it will take two to search properly."

"Fine," he said, waving impatiently. "Both of you are dismissed. Be on your way. I want all of the traitors party behind bars." Tauriel dipped her head, a small smile on her lips and then rose to go to the Legolas, who blinked when she reached for his arm. She whispered to him and the two were off down the stairs. Thorin watched them leave, relieved to see the small threads surrounding the prince strain and snap though they did not altogether fade. Had it been soon enough? He glanced at Saruman who was scowling at the elves' receding backs looking thoroughly dissatisfied. The wizard turned his glare on Thorin and his jaw and neck seized painfully.

"What would be your advice old friend?" asked Thranduil, unknowingly breaking the tense silence. The pain ceased. "It's clear to me that you spoke truly. How should we proceed from here?"

"With great caution," said Saruman, never taking his eyes from Thorin's. "I must be allowed to question your captives, particularly the witch. Perhaps we may discover a flaw in their plans."

"It is wisdom. Do you wish to begin now?"

"Not now. In the morning. Let your captives stew in apprehension for the night. It may loosen their tongues somewhat. Is there perhaps a private room where I may interrogate them one by one?"

"There is. These guards are at your disposal, and I shall post extra over the witch."

"No," said Saruman rather sharply. "Forgive me but no. Do not forget that the witch has already charmed many. It would not do to have your guards taken in as well. In fact I advise you to not post guards anywhere near the dwarves. We would not want her lies perpetuated. Your prison is more secure this way. She cannot charm iron bars."

"As you see fit," said Thranduil. He turned to the guards surrounding Thorin. "Take away the dwarf and show our esteemed guest to his needs. For the time being you will answer to Saruman. Understood?" The guards snapped to attention, their hands across their chest in salute before Thorin was marched off to a cell, the wizard following behind.

The iron bars screaked and clanked shut behind Thorin as he stumbled across the threshold into the roughly hewn stone cell. The sharp snick of a key in the lock and the clinking of the shackles still on his wrists and ankles cut through the silence.

"Well done," said Saruman, turning to the guards that stood beside him. "Now leave us. There are things I wish to discuss with this prisoner before I retire." Thorin came to the bars, swallowing thickly, still trying to fight the wizard spell as he watched the elves disappear. Where was the rest of the company? At an order from Saruman Thorin was to be kept separate from the others. He had been dragged down a narrow winding staircase to a lone cell. He had neither seen nor heard from the others. Saruman turned sharply to face him, his features no longer masked as they had been in the throne room, a sneer on his withered lips. At once Thorin's tongue fell loose.

"What do you want here wizard? Why have you come?" seethed Thorin, gripping the iron bars.

"The same thing I wanted before. The same thing you kept me from taking in Rivendell. I want knowledge from the witch."

"Drop the farce," said Thorin, glowering at him. "We both know she is no witch but has her knowledge from elsewhere. She was sent not by Sauron but by the Valar."

"Perhaps so, but she uses her knowledge poorly. Her purpose matters little to me, I only want to know the future. There is something I must find and time is running out. It is no lie that Sauron is on the move in the shadows. I seek to destroy him but I must know where to search."

"We all seek his downfall, but Sara knows how to bring it about. She is trying to protect the path to the future that guarantees his defeat." Saruman snorted derisively.

"Guarantees? Guarantees!" he said, his voice growing less and less restrained. "There is only one way to guarantee the end of Sauron, and no mortal has the strength to assure it. No, it must be me. Tell me of the distant future!" Thorin spat on the ground at the wizards feet.

"Sara is no fool. She would not even tell us of the distant future but merely guides us to the best end. You are the fool to flout the will of the Valar and interfere with her. Even Gandalf would not do so but follows her advice without demanding full knowledge.

"Gandalf is a doddering old fool, easily taken in and easily led astray, as are all the others on the council. For years I have kept them ignorant of the true strength of the enemy. Only I have the will and power enough to act against the enemy."

"I would not be so quick to assume you have Gandalf out of the way," said Thorin. "He is not blinded and corrupted by his own ambition as you are."

"I am the only one with ambition," raged Saruman. "The others would leave it to those who have not the power nor the will to fight. You must tell me." Thorin clamped his jaw and folded his arms over his chest, his eyes burning holes through the wizards. "Very well, I see you will not cooperate willingly with me. Perhaps one of the others will be more persuadable." Thorin scoffed.

"Persuadable? After our encounter in the throne room you should know that your silver tongue and magic have little effect on the dwarf, especially one who can see though you lies. You may have the elf king under your thumb as feeble and influenceable as their race is but even he will come to his senses before long. You cannot hope to hold him forever."

"No, not forever," said Saruman, stroking his beard. "But for much longer than I will ever require. It takes so little to whisper and coax fourth one's fears and make them grow and morph to suit my needs. Thranduil is no exception, plagued with fear and excessive caution as he has been these many centuries since his father's defeat and death at Dagorlad. No, long before my influence wears thin I will have what I came for."

"I tell you again none of my company will betray what we do not know. Sara knew you sought after her and she has been most cautious."

"Which is why I will have to go straight to the source. Perhaps my talents are of little use against a dwarf but Sara is a human, the most susceptible of all the races." Thorin gripped the cell bars, the cold iron biting into his palms. Saruman's eyes glinted in the dim light of the lone torch on the wall. "I could make her spill her darkest secrets to me. By the time I am finished with her I will know all." It happened in an instant. Before Thorin even had even conscious thought of it, his hands were through the bars, jerking to a stop just short of the wizard's body but catching his robes. Thorin yanked him forward pulling the old man so he was bent closer to eye level.

"If you so much as…" he growled but was cut short. A sharp crack and a blinding flash of light seared through his eyes and he was flung backwards, his head smacking sickeningly on the wall of the cell behind him. His wrists and hands throbbed as his lip began to bleed into his mouth and down his chin. Lights popped in and out of his vision before it cleared, but whether from the blow or the flash he was not sure.

"How dare you threaten me with physical violence. You, a mere mortal, weak and subjectable. Do not forget who I am. I am a servant of the Valar sent to protect this land from the rising evil. You are no match for me." Thorin spat the blood from his mouth as it ran down his chin.

"With servants like you it's no wonder the Valar sent Sara to take your place." The wizard's coal dark eyes flared with rage.

"For that remark, dwarf, I will take special pleasure in turning the woman's mind and will against you. She will never again look upon you or your kind with anything but fear and hatred." There was another crack of blinding light and the wizard was gone.

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Throbbing. Her brain was throbbing as she sat huddled beside Kili in the small damp cell. What had happened? Witch? Why did the guards think she was a witch? And where had they taken Thorin? It had been several hours now but no one had seen him. Sara growled at the pain stabbing through her brain. It was growing increasingly more difficult to think and she blinked back the tears that threatened to emerge out of her fear, pain, and frustration. She rubbed at her forehead groaning.

"Here, let me," said Kili. He reached for the hairpiece and pulled it free from her hair, gingerly undoing the braids before slowly massaging his fingers into her scalp. Sara pulled closer to him trying to leach away his heat. The cold stone of the floor brushed against her bare legs as she pulled the hem of the dress down again, extremely grateful that she had decided on the boots earlier this evening.

"Thanks Kili," she said as the tension began to melt out of her neck and shoulders under his attention. Her head still ached every time she moved but this felt good and helped dull the pain to a manageable level.

"You're welcome. I just wish I could do more. I don't understand what's going on, why were we arrested."

"I don't know either," she said, pulling away slightly. "But I don't like it. Something serious must have happened." They were quiet for a moment, listening to the low mutters of the others punctuated by the slow drip and trickle of water. They have been paired into cells that had been hewn from the rock walls of the cave. Fili and Balin were to their right with Oin and Dwalin to the left. Across the chasm from them was situated Bofur and Ori, Dori and Nori, Gloin and Bifur, and last of all Bomber on his own. No one had seen or heard from Bilbo since he left dinner not too long after Sara and Thorin. She hoped Bilbo had gotten away. A pebble hit her cheek. Idly she brushed at it smearing grime across her pale cheek obscuring her freckles. Another pebble hit her thigh. Kili tensed.

"Sara," came an ever so faint whisper. Kili nudged her gently, nodding towards the cell door. "Sara," came the whisper again. Carefully she made her way the few feet over to the cell door and gripped the bars looking around. She saw no one, the narrow ledge was empty. A warm hand covered her fingers and she started, wincing at the pain in her head at the sudden movement.

"Are you alright?" came a voice.

"Bilbo?" she exclaimed.

"Yes, it's me," came the reply.

"Thank goodness! I was afraid they'd captured you."

"You must be quieter," hushed Bilbo. "There is a guard about 30 yards up the stairs. I'm not sure how far an elf can hear." Kili said something to the others in dwarvish and they began to talk a bit louder among themselves.

"Elf ears are keen but if you are quiet you should not be overheard at this distance with the others talking," said Kili.

"Bilbo, do you have any idea what's going on?" asked Sara.

"Not the faintest notion. I saw them dragging Thorin off somewhere but I couldn't follow. Too many guards. It looked like they were headed towards the throne room but that was quite a while ago. This invisibility stuff is more difficult than I had imagined, especially with all the extra guards walking the halls. I suspect they are looking for me."

"Probably since you are the only one not locked in a cell," said Sara shivering.

"Bilbo have you been to our rooms? Can you bring us anything, maybe a blanket for Sara?"

"Our rooms have been stripped," said Bilbo forlornly. "I was in my room when I heard a racket further up the hall. I peeked out the door and saw the elf guards and slipped on the ring, and just in time to. They took everything, all of our personal belongings are gone, clothes, packs, weapons, even the playing cards. I managed to grab my little blade but that was it." Kili cursed under his breath. "Im sorry," said Bilbo.

"No it's okay, it's not your fault," assured Kili. "Have you any idea where they are keeping our things?"

"I'm not sure, not yet, but after our tour with Ruven I have a good idea where to begin looking."

"That's a good idea," said Sara. "But we also need to find Thorin if we are to make our escape."

"I don't think we will be able to," said Kili.

"Why not? We know where the wine cellar and river are. Airidan showed us."

"Yes but you forgot the elf guards were drunk in the book, likely from the same party we just attended. We still have to find uncle and try and get some of our supplies back. Our weapons at the very least. And don't forget Dwalin. His stamina is still poor. There is no way we can do all of that before the night is over and the guards are no longer drunk. Besides, shouldn't we find out why we have been imprisoned." Sara frowned and felt Bilbo's fingers tighten on hers.

"Kili's right," said Bilbo. "We are not…" but he fell silent and the warmth of his fingers vanished. The rest of the company also fell quiet as two sets of footsteps descended the stone steps leading towards their cells.

"I tell you," said a familiar female voice. "Something was not, is not, right. He was trying to cast an enchantment on you." Kili's eyes widened and they pulled away from the door, leaning back into the shadows of the cell.

"That's ridiculous. Why would he do such a thing?" answered Legolas's voice as the footsteps grew louder.

"I don't know, but his words fell sour on my ears." The voice was Tauriel's. Sara felt Kili relax somewhat beside her.

"You doubt him? Many revere his words as wise council."

"If you believe him then why are you here in the dungeons and why did you send away the guard?" There was a long pause before the footsteps resumed.

"I don't know who to believe. Father believes the wizard. At first it seemed like madness to me. I didn't want to believe that Sara is a witch, my heart I don't want to believe it, but the longer I listened to the wizard the more sense it made. She has been hiding things from us. I want to hear from her what she has to say."

Sara's mind whirred. Wizard? What wizard? Was Gandalf here? Did he have something to do with all this? But that was ridiculous.

"It sounded like a bunch of lies to me," said Tauriel. "There were many things that made little sense and went directly against what I have observed."

"But what reason could he have to lie?" asked Legolas, coming into view around the corner with Tauriel just behind him. Where had Bilbo gone? She hoped he was well out of the way of the elves approach.

"I don't know but his arguments against Sara and the dwarves were far-reaching and nonsensical to me. Can you honestly imagine Sara or Bilbo trying to hurt anyone? You can't tell me you really believe Saruman."

Saruman! Saruman was here? Why? What did he want? Nothing good that was for sure. What lies had he been spreading. Tauriel had said the wizard was trying to enchant Legolas. Enchant him how, to do what? She racked her brain trying to remember all she could about Saruman from books and movies. There was something about his powers, his ability to...

"I don't know," said Legolas. "I just know I want to talk to Sara before…" He trailed off as Sara's eyes locked with his. His steps faltered as he peered at her in the gloom. Tauriel snatched a torch off the wall and quickly made to look inside each of the cells ending at Oin and Dwalin's cell with a disgusted snort.

"I can't believe they even dragged this one, Dwalin was your name, out of his hospital bed. That's horrible," she said looking at Legolas, a scowl on her lips, her eyes flashing with indignant rage. "What happened to hospitality or plain decency? He could not even muster the strength to leave the infirmary let alone make a fuss or fight."

"Don't be so sure about that ya pointy eared lass," came Dwalin's gruff voice from the cell over.

"I'm no fool," said Tauriel. "I wager you would be winded by the time you reached the top of their stairs let alone escape." Legolas frowned as he approached Sara. She pushed away from the wall and came to stand before him, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Why have you done this to us?" demanded Fili from the cell just up the path. "What have we done to deserve such treatment?"

"You concealed the truth about Mr. Sara and sought to bring about the downfall of this kingdom," replied Legolas. Sara rocked back on his heels as if struck. There was no jest in the prince's face.

"What are you talking about?" asked Kili. "We have sought to make peace with you."

"What lies has the wizard Saruman been spreading about us?" asked Fili.

"He has revealed your own lies. Why did you never tell us Sara is a witch?"

"I'm not a witch," protested Sara. "Anyone who thinks I have magical powers is crazy."

"Then what would you call knowing the future?" countered Legolas.

"If I really knew the future you really think I would choose to be here in this cell?"

"Thorin Oakenshield himself admitted you knew the future," pressed Legolas, refusing to be sidetracked. "So who is the liar? You or him?"

"Thorin said that?" asked Sara. Legolas and Tauriel both nodded. What else had Thorin said?

"Is it true?" asked Legolas watching her with caution and hope in his eyes. She glanced at Kili. He was watching Tauriel. Perhaps giving information could help her get more, besides if Thorin had already confirmed it there was little sense denying it now.

"In a sense yes," she began haltingly. "At least I knew one of the possible futures. But we have been working to change it, so who knows if what I knew is still what will happen." Legolas looked as if she had hit him over the head with his own boots.

"Was it such an ill future you foresaw?" asked Tauriel.

"Not entirely, no, but there was a lot that could have been better. We hope to spare many lives, a few in particular."

"Whos?" asked Legolas.

"Mine, my uncle, and my brother," said Kili somberly. Sara nodded.

"But not just them. The countless men, elves, and dwarves lost in the upcoming battle as well. By simply preparing we hope to be able to turn the tide. That's why we wanted to renew the alliance with you."

"Why should we believe you?" argued Legolas. "If it's the truth why did you not simply tell us. Instead you sought to trick us. I can't believe you knew the future and said nothing."

"Do you know how hard it was to convince Thorin that we needed to renew the alliance with you? It took weeks. I only convinced him just before we arrived. He wanted nothing to do with you. I believe he has come around a bit since we arrived and learned the truth about the past, but he is very cautious. He certainly didn't want to reveal our secrets to you, particularly mine. The last time someone found out about me it did not end well. In fact that is why we are here in cells now. Saruman is liar. He knows the truth."

"If you are not a witch then how do you know the future?" asked Legolas.

"First tell us what else Saruman said about us that has provoked you to cage us?" called Fili, sounding angry. Legolas remained silent, looking away.

"How do you expect us to defend ourselves if you don't tell us what we are defending against," argued Sara. Still Legolas did not speak.

"Oh for heaven's sake I will tell them," said Tauriel, stepping closer, the torch light gleaning in her red hair as she glared at Legolas. "I should be the one to tell it in any case. I'm afraid that you could still be shaking off the effects of whatever the wizard was doing to you." Sara bit her lip.

"What was he trying to do."

"I don't know," said Tauriel. "But let me speak first." Sara nodded and Tauriel began to tell them about the accusations Saruman had made against them. Sara's chest was filled with white rage for the wizard by the time the elf captain had finished. The rest of the company were also expressing their disgust... rather loudly, and some very crudely.

"I can't believe that slimy old wizard said those things about me after he knows the truth," seethed Sara.

"What you claim to be the truth," said Legolas sourly. "It is a sure thing you have not told us. Yet you say Saruman knows?"

"Actually he, Lord Elrond, Lady Galadriel, and Gandalf all know about my origins along with the entire company."

"And yet you have not seen fit to tell me," said Legolas.

"I've had no reason to until now save to satisfy your curiosity," said Sara, feeling more than a little annoyed. "I told you it doesn't usually end well when people find out. But..." She paused. Did she really want to tell him? Could she afford not to tell him? Bilbo and Kili were right. Without the guards getting drunk they may not have a way out. And if truth be told this was not the same situation as in the book. They needed inside help and who better than the prince if she could convince him "But I will tell you now." She reached to take off her gloves but Kili stopped her.

"Are you sure?" he asked. She nodded.

"We need their help."

"Don't do it lass. How do you know we can trust them?" called Dwalin gruffly. Tauriel looked a little offended but Legolas just watched them with a steady gaze. Sara paused.

"Because I know what Legolas is destined to become, assuming we have not altered events that drastically, which I hope we haven't. He has a big role to fill in the future. He and his father must survive and we need to get to lake town if we are to find Bard. If this is what it takes, then so be it." With that she pulled the glove off her right hand and stuck it through the bars. "Do you recognize this mark?" she asked. Tauriel lowered the torch so it's light flickered over Sara's extended hand. Tauriel leaned forward to better see and promptly dropped the torch. Kili's hand shot out through the bars and caught the torch before it hit the ground.

"Here," he said, offering it back to her. With shaking hands she took it. Legolas leaned forward peering down at Sara's hand. His eyes widened.

"But how could you bear this mark?" he asked, reaching to run a finger over the shape.

"It's a birthmark. I've had it for as long as I can remember"

"But this doesn't exactly explain how you know the future," he said.

"I will tell you but there is no guarantee that you will be convinced. It's kind of a crazy story and to be honest I don't understand parts of it myself."

"Tell us," urged Tauriel.

"You can only try," said Legolas. "What you claim is already incredibly difficult to fathom as truth."

So Sara told them. She told them how she came to be in Middle-earth and on the quest, about the books including the hobbit, and last of all her decision to try and save Thorin, Kili, and Kili. She did not go into great detail as they were pressed for time but kept to the mere bones of the facts. Tauriel's reaction was easy enough to gauge as the excitement danced through her eyes and Sara answered the many questions she had. Legolas on the other hand was more difficult. He was withdrawn, quiet, and contemplatively as he listened, his expression altering little from the frown on his lips.

"To think you were sent by the Valar," said Tauriel, reaching to touch the back of Sara's hand again.

"Amazing indeed," said Legolas after a moment of quiet. "Quite as fantastic as Saruman's, though clearly plied in the opposite direction. Such polar opposites, yet which one is the truth?" Tauriel looked at her companion nonplussed.

"You really need to ask?" she asked incredulously. "What exactly did Saruman do to you?"

"Of course," said Sara, smacking her forehead and regretting it as her temples throbbed painfully. "I can't believe it took me this long to remember, to realize... Legolas you said that Saruman's accusations sounded like lunacy at the start right?" He nodded warily. "And the longer he spoke the more sense he made, while Tauriel, you never stopped thinking he was lying." They both nodded. "Don't you see, Saruman is using his silver tongue to persuade you he's right."

"I admit he is rather elegant in speech but…" began Legolas.

"No it's not just good speech making. It's magic, a talent he has. In the books Saruman talks his way in and out of just about any situation. You're taken in by his words if you don't understand what he's doing and sometimes even if you do."

"You really believe he would do such a thing?" asked Tauriel, looking worried. "To the king and prince no less?"

"It wouldn't be the first time he silver talked a king, or at least not the only instance I can think of," said Sara. "He will charm his way past some very powerful and seedy characters in the future, and probably has in the past."

"Rather a convenient explanation don't you think," said Legolas. Sara and Tauriel just looked at him.

"No more convenient than Saruman's lies," said Sara, feeling rather annoyed with the elf prince.

"But why should I believe you?"

"For one thing I have more proof than Saruman."

"Proof," he said disbelievingly. "What proof?" Sara held up her hand.

"This," she said sarcastically, fighting the pain in her head. "Oh but of course Saruman would not have told you about my mark. It's too difficult to explain away."

"It could just be a mark," he said.

"In that shape!" argued Tauriel, gesturing angrily at Sara's hand. "What's gotten into you. You can't really think the Valar would allow someone to bare their mark falsely" Sara sighed.

"You sound just like Saruman, at least you sound like him until I made him believe." Legolas turned to look at her.

"How did you make him believe?"

"I showed him something he could not refute or explain. Took him by surprise," she said smugly, remembering the meeting with the white council.

"What did you show him?"

"Do you have my puzzle box with you?" she asked.

"No, I have been preoccupied and have not had the chance to return to my rooms. What is inside?"

"Irrefutable evidence." She said simply.

"Are you going to tell me the trick of opening it?" he asked. She studied him for a moment considering.

"You have to believe you are me."

"Excuse me?"

"You have to think and believe you are me. Bifur and Bofur enchanted it so that only I could open it unless you know the trick."

"Simple but effective," said Tauriel appreciatively.

"Thank you lass," called Bofur from across the chasm. Sara didn't take her eyes from Legolas hoping to see a change in his somber expression.

"Look I know it's a lot to take in. You're far from the first to be floored by this revelation. I try not to tell many people. If I hadn't told the white council then Saruman would not be here now, although I suppose the quest would have ended in Rivendell I hadn't. I can't think of any other reason he would have followed me all the way here except to know about the future. He has tried to force it from me once but Thorin intervened and Saruman did not want to tip his hand. But it seems he has become more desperate."

"Looks like it," said Kili.

"Legolas you have to help us," begged Sara. "We must be allowed to leave. We have done nothing wrong. You can't trust Saruman." It was quiet for a few heavy heartbeats.

"I wish I could believe you so easily," said Legolas. "But it's not that simple. My father is the king and has ordered you to be held prisoners. He believes Saruman. I am unsure how I feel about this, but even if I believed you, which I'm not sure I do, it would be treason."

"If it is as we suspect your father is not truly the one giving the orders," said Tauriel. "We have a duty to the king yes, but when his judgment is not his own? Surely we have the responsibility to act for the best of the kingdom in his stead. Especially you. You are his heir, the prince. If you do not act who will?"

"I will not undermine my father's authority," said Legolas, his voice cool as ice. "I will not be a disloyal son."

"Then will you ignore the will of the Valar?" replied Tauriel heatedly. "I believe Sara to be who she claims and if you had not been charmed out of your wit you would to." Legolas did not answer but pushed past her and stocked up the stairs and out of sight. Tauriel sighed and put the torch back in the bracket on the wall.

"I'm sorry," said Sara.

"It is not you who should apologize," said Tauriel firmly, looking up the stairs and then back at the two of them. "I've never known him to be quiet so… thick." Sara could not help but crack a bitter smile.

"Well if we are right, and I think we are, then it may not be entirely his fault. Thanks for believing me."

"It would have been better if the prince had believed us," said Kili forlornly.

"You're right," said Tauriel. "I can only do so much for you, but I will do all I can."

"Thank you," said Sara. "Keep an eye on him and keep him away from Saruman. Who knows, maybe he will come around."

"I will," agreed Tauriel. "I should…" But she fell silent and held a finger to her lips slipping further down the path and into the dark shadows below.

"Sara, behind me," said Kili gently pulling her away from the door. Footsteps and a rhythmic clacking approach. Who was coming? Sara's hands flew to her mouth feeling as though she were choking. Her tongue was pressed to the roof of her mouth. She could not move it. She had glanced at Kili and could tell by his wide eyes he was also struggling inexplicably. The others had also fallen silent and the only sound was a staff on the stone floor. Sara felt a deeper wave of panic rush though her as white robes swished into view outside the door. Dark glittering eyes locked with Sara's.

"Ms. Sara, we meet again," said the wizard. "Come my dear, I believe it is time we had a proper chat." He turned to the two guards behind him. "Bring her."