Flames

2.5

"Some may consider your quest noble," the Elven king, Thranduil, began. Azalea looked around, making sure everyone was there. Then, she realized something.

Where's Bilbo? He was just with us a second ago. Wasn't he?

"Azalea," Thranduil said. "I was wondering if I'd ever see you again."

"Do you know everyone?" Kili asked.

"Not everyone," she replied. "Almost everyone."

Take them all to the dungeons," Thranduil commanded. "All except for Thorin and Azalea."

Azalea watched as the dwarves were escorted away. 

"Azalea, if you could wait on the stairs," Thranduil requested.

"Yeah, like that'll happen," Azalea replied, leaning against one of the pillars. She only half-listened to the conversation. She understood the anger between the two of them, and got the main points of what they spoke of. Then, Thorin started yelling. Thranduil said something else, something that sounded like, "You are just like your grandfather."

Then, guards grabbed Thorin. Azalea instantly focused on what was happening.

"Stay here if you will and rot," Thranduil threatened. "A thousand years in a mere blink in the life of an elf. I'm patient. I can wait."*

"Hey, leave him alone!" Azalea exclaimed, running forward.

"Azalea, don't!" Thorin exclaimed. She froze as he turned to look at her. "Don't."

She backed up as he was dragged away.

"You didn't have to be so rude," she muttered, watching them drag Thorin to a cell.

"And he didn't have to be so stubborn," Thranduil replied. "Now tell me, what brings the Princess of Gondor back to Mirkwood?"

"I'm not a princess anymore, princess," Azalea replied. Thranduil laughed.

"I see your sense of humor is still intact. It hasn't been tainted by dwarves?" Thranduil wondered.

"I associate with all sorts of people, friend. I never let them change who I am," Azalea replied.

There was a pause. She began to pace.

"Why are you associating yourself with these dwarves, Azalea? Why do you want to help them?" Thranduil asked.

"Because I care about them," Azalea admitted. "I care about the lot of them, and I want them to get home."

"But why?"

"I...I don't know."

"You're not a real part of the company, are you?"

"You know, I'm starting to remember why I never came back," Azalea said, irritated.

"You didn't sign a contract, you have nothing to gain from this, so I ask again, why are you here?" 

"I told you, Thranduil, I care about them."

"Do you?"

Azalea paused.

"You joined the company because you were bored, do not deny it," Thranduil said.

"Okay, yes, maybe I did. However, I've gotten to know them, and I'm going to make sure they get their mountain back," Azalea said.

"I saw the way you looked at Thorin," Thranduil said, "the way you rushed to help him. You love him."

"I do not," Azalea replied harshly. 

"You do. The way he looked at you told me he loves you, as well. Or, at least, he thinks he does," Thranduil countered.