An Unexpected Journey

Chapter Forty-Eight: Escaping from Mirkwood

Thalia grinned silently following Bilbo down the corridor, they had slipped the guards some sleeping draft that Thalia had instructed Bilbo how to make in the kitchens of the elves. 

"This way," Bilbo said signalling for Thalia to follow him down to the dungeons, they needed to be quick and they wouldn't go un-noticed for long especially if Paloma or Thranduil went to check on her. 

The two didn't have to travel long before they found themselves in the dungeons, Thalia wrinkled her nose as they were greeted by the smell of sweaty dwarves. 

"They're certainly down here," Thalia muttered knowing that the dwarves had been locked in the cells now for nearly two weeks now. 

Bilbo chuckled at her words and nodded at Thalia, they hadn't been afforded the luxury that she had while being locked in her room and it would take some time to get used to traveling again. 

"Wait here," Bilbo whispered signalling for Thalia to wait, he knew that it was important that the dwarves didn't see her yet; they would make far too much noise and it would only attract attention. 

Thalia nodded as she took a deep breath and hid in the shadows, she was wearing her black blouse with dramatic cape sleeve and black high waisted skinny jeans paired with black quilted heeled ankle boots instead of the stuffy dress that Thranduil had given her. 

The demigod was just relieved to be back in her own clothes again and she knew that they had to escape quickly if they wished to avoid detection. 

Bilbo pulled out the keys to the dungeon that he had stolen earlier that night, he swallowed as he moved down towards the cells where the company were being held and quickly started to release them. 

"Thorin..." Balin said looking of determination filled his king's face, he could already see what Thorin was thinking and they didn't have time for that.

"I need to get her back," Thorin said knowing that he couldn't just leave Thalia behind, he wouldn't leave her with that elf and he knew that he had plans for his beloved and he wouldn't let that happen. 

Bilbo peeked at Thorin as he moved to hurry up the stairs, he grinned as he released Ori and Nori from their cell knowing that Thalia was just up the stairs. 

"You wouldn't be talking about me would you?" Thalia said stepping around the corner and out of the shades, she grinned as she looked at Thorin; she had a habit of doing this and she quite liked it now. 

Thorin sighed in relief as he hurried up the steps and pulled Thalia into his arms, his lips eagerly finding hers knowing that she was okay; he didn't know what he would have done if she wasn't. 

"We need to get going," Bilbo said knowing that while people were celebrating that they wouldn't be noticed; however they needed to get out while they had the chance. 

Thalia pulled back from Thorin, there would be time for that later but right now they had work to do; she nodded at Bilbo to led the way quickly. 

"Later," Thalia promised knowing that she would explain soon, she flashed a smile to him before she moved to follow after Bilbo; they had to move quickly and they had to get out while they had a chance.

***

"Into the barrels quickly," Bilbo whispered showing them to the store room as the dwarves complained about his plan of escape; Thalia swallowed back a laugh of amusement as Bilbo sighed annoyed and turned to Thorin for help. 

Thorin sighed as his company complained, he knew that Bilbo had a plan and he hoped that they would be able to get out. 

"Do as he says," Thorin said moving towards one of the barrels, this wasn't going to be pleasant but he prayed that the hobbit knew what he was doing. 

Thalia took a deep breath watching the dwarves climb into the barrels, she peeked at Bilbo knowing that she was expected to do the same; she nodded at the hobbit as she carefully climbed into her own barrel. 

Thalia closed her eyes as everyone settled into their barrels, she clutched at the sides as she heard Bilbo pull a lever and slowly the barrels rolled down a ramp and into a river below them. 

Thalia squeaked a little surprised as the cold water seeped into the barrel before she righted herself, she looked out of her barrel as they waited for Bilbo to join them. 

Thorin looked over at Thalia, he wished to know what had happened while they were separated; he knew that this would wait until later when they had the chance to talk.

Bilbo quickly slipped through a gap and dropped down into the water, he clutched at one of the barrels as overhead there could be heard elves; they had been so close to discovery and they were now being searched for. 

"Well done Master Baggins," Thorin said nodding at the hobbit as they slowly started pushing their way towards the faster moving water, they needed to escape quickly before it was too late. 

Thalia swallowed sitting back in her barrel as they made their way down several drops, she closed her eyes and tried to think of it as a log flume or the river rafting rides at the amusement parks. 

Thalia had no problem with the water as she was the daughter of Poseidon and Amphitrite, it was the drops that she didn't like and she just hoped that they were over soon. 

Thalia shook her head as a horn bellowed around them, they had been spotted and she knew that this wasn't good; she peeked back as arrows flew at them and she feared the worst as the gates that would allow them to escape closed. 

Thorin gritted his teeth trying to wrestle the gates open as he was hidden under the small bridge, he struggling knowing that while he was safe other members of his company weren't. 

Arrows whizzed around the group as they all slammed into one another, trapped by the gates as the elves swooped in around them. 

"Duck Thalia," called a weak voice that Thalia didn't think she would be hearing again anytime soon, the blonde ducked down in her barrel as an orc flew over her head.

Thalia cursed sharply realising that things were getting worse, the last thing they needed now was the orc pack showing up; they had elves to deal with and were pretty much unarmed right now. 

Arrows from both sides seemed to fly overhead and the company dealt with both threats as best as possible in their weapon-less state; it was at that moment that Kíli pulled himself from his barrel and hurried to pull the lever that would free them. 

Dodged each of his attackers before he reached the lever and readied to release the gates when a poisoned arrow shot him through the leg. 

Kíli cried out in pain as he let go of the lever and dropped to the ground clutching his leg, he held it as a cry of victory could be heard from one of the orc party. 

"Kíli NO!" Thalia cried as the young dwarf prince was shot in the leg with a poisoned arrow, he dropped to the floor as a rumble sounded above like thunder. 

Everything was silent for a moment as the orcs and elves seemed to stop as a blast of water, started to rush towards the barrels, wiping out everything in its path; Kíli groaned as he pushed himself up and pulled the lever allowing the gates to open. 

With the last of his strength Kíli rolled into his barrel as the water reached the barrels and washed them away as the orcs and elves scrambled to safety.