For the Dancing and the Dreaming

iii • getaway barrels

Alvar led Tauriel through the halls.

"I do not understand why you don't at least try talking to the king?" Tauriel questioned her friend.

"Because he is the king. His decision is final and I don't plan on losing my job because your empathy is too big for Mirkwood." Alvar explained simply.

"But you have more influence than me." Tauriel reminded the captain.

"Not enough for what you're asking." Alvar said with a light scoff. Alvar straightened when she heard the sound of laughter and cheers. They were deep and fading down the halls.

"What is it?" Tauriel asked. Tauriel followed her friend back towards the cells to find that they were all opened and empty. "Where is the Keeper of the Keys?" Tauriel demanded as the guards searched the cells.

Alvar knew dwarves were not the brightest, but they had found a way to escape. The gates had been closed and guarded so they would have to find a secret way out.

Alvar gestured for the guards and Tauriel to follow. She led them to the cellar, where the Keeper of the Keys was last seen.

When they arrived at the cellar, a few elves were drunk and asleep. They searched the room for the keys.

"The barrels are gone." Alvar pointed out. "We have to get outside." She began to run back up the steps and hurry to get outside.

"Shut the gate." Legolas ordered when he met them all outside. A horn was blown to stop the dwarves from leaving through the waterway.

"Just what we needed." Alvar looked at Tauriel as they ran to the gate. Orcs were now attacking the dwarves.

"Kili." Tauriel ran fast as she lined up an arrow and released it, killing an Orc before it could attack one of the dwarves.

Alvar protected her friend while she fended off Orcs with a bow. Alvar slashed and stabbed as she got closer to the gate, trying to clear it of Orcs so they could take back the prisoners.

Alvar turned, not fast enough to attack the Orc that was charging her. Before he could slay her with his sword, an arrow pierced through his skull, centered between his eyes. When the Orc fell, Alvar saw Legolas was now helping to fight off the ugly creatures.

Alvar saw most of the Orcs were following the dwarves down stream and she chased after them, killing as many Alex's as she could along the way.

When the dwarves managed an escape, one last Orc was found. Tauriel let the arrow fly, knocking the black arrow off course, preventing it from hitting Legolas.

Alvar drew her blade, slashing the Orc on the leg and holding the sword against his throat.

"Alvar. Wait! This one we keep alive."

Alvar watched Tauriel looking out towards the dwarves. "Tauriel." Alvar got her attention. "Let's go."

They brought the Orc to King Thrandriul. "Such is the nature of evil. Out there in the vast ignorance of the world, it festers and spreads. A shadow that grows in the dark. A sleepless malice as black as the oncoming wall of night. So it ever was. So will it always be. In time, all foul things come forth."

"You were tracking a company of 13 dwarves." Legolas mentioned. "Why?" He asked.

"Not 13. Not anymore." The Orc said, even with a sword to his throat, he still managed to get under their skin. "The young one... the black-haired archer... we stuck him with a Morgul shaft. The poison's in his blood. He'll be choking on it soon."

Alvar looked over at Tauriel. She had her fists balled so tightly her knuckles were turning white, but her face gave nothing away. "Answer the question, Filth."

"I do not answer to dogs, She-Elf!" The Orc exclaimed.

"I would not antagonize her." Legolas warned the Orc after Tauriel drew her own blade.

"You like killing things, Orc? You like death? Then let me give it to you." Tauriel charged the Orc.

"Enough! Tauriel, leave! Go now." Thrandriul ordered.

Tauriel began to leave. Alvar, sensing she was not needed, left with her. "Tauriel..." She followed after her friend.

"Do you remember the time I saved you from a Spider?" Tauriel questioned, turning sharply to face Alvar. "You said you'd do anything to repay me."

"Vaguely. Why?" Alvar said, regretting the question already. "You can't be serious?" Alvar chuckled to herself, rubbing the bridge if her nose. "Now?"

"I need your help." Tauriel pleaded. "If you asked, I wouldn't hesitate." She said, knowing guilt is Alvar's weakness.

"You're a terrible friend."