тнє нєαℓєя[тнσяιи σαкєиѕнιєℓ∂]

Chapter Twenty Five - Unpleasantries With The Elves

The elves led their prisoners, through the forest. The dwarves forced to march single file down the path. Before they had been dragged off, Maura had heard Bofur whispering to Thorin, questioning where their hobbit was. The healer couldn't help but think, that something awful had happened to him. It wasn't long before they saw a bridge coming into view with a river flowing underneath it, and at the end of it were two elf guards, guarding the doors into the kingdom. One of the elf soldier's shouted in elvish to the guards, and the doors swung open. Not bothering to struggle against their captors as they did on the way there, the dwarves one by one marched through the doors. The woman stopped just before the doors and glanced behind her, at the way they had just came. Maura was hoping, beyond hope she would see the little hobbit just to know he was alright, but she was quickly shoved by the young elf prince to keep going behind the others. Legolas was about to enter when he something he thought he heard in the wind caused him to look behind, but to his confusion all he saw was the ruffling of leaves that covered the bridge and shrugged it off as nothing as he continued to follow behind the rest of his kin to take their guest to their cells.

The healer jumped at the sound of the doors closing behind her. How were they supposedly going to escape this well guarded realm? 'The wizard, really knew when to pick a bad time to take his leave of them.' was all Maura could think of right now. As they made their way through the Woodland realm, the young woman couldn't help but look around in utter amazement at the beauty of this home. This kingdom was built within a cave and though it was not as breath-taking as the great Elven city of Rivendell, it was still somewhat of a spectacular sight to see, though the healer wished it was under different circumstances. She also found it quite strange that the halls appeared to be uninhabited. Where were all the kings people? And what were elves doing in place with so little light? If Maura knew anything about elves, it was they're love of the light. This place was a maze, the elves led them down various passages that took them deep within the domain.

Thorin had been guided up another passage way, whilst the others continued down another hall and the woman's eyes widen when she realized where the elves had been taking them. The dungeons. The cell's were small rooms in different parts of the palace where each member of the company was shoved into singly, until they ran out of rooms for their remaining prisoners and had to place two in these tiny quarters. Maura took a look at her own cell. It's wall's were made of stone and her door made of metal. Hearing the commotion coming from her companions, the healer walked over and placed her hands on the bars, as her friends spouted out curses and insult's at their captors.

"This is not the end of it!" Dwalin shouted, while being shoved into his cell, and even continued on, after the fact. " You hear me!?"

"Hey, let us out of here!" Gloin ordered.

"Get off me!" Nori yelled.

The behavior of their prisoners, did not phase the elves one bit as they continued with they're duties. The dwarves wasted no time in doing everything possible to break their doors down, including throwing themselves against the bars, trying to escape. "Leave it!" Balin shouted. "There is no way out. This is no orc dungeon; these are the halls of the Woodland Realm. No one leaves here but by the king's consent." At this, Maura closed her eyes in dismay, sliding to the floor, letting out a sigh, as she rested her head against the wall.

"Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand. A quest to reclaim a homeland and slay a dragon. I myself suspect a more prosaic motive: attempted burglar, or something of that ilk." Thranduil stated as he came up beside the dwarf to look at him more closely.

"You have found a way in." The elf guessed, having his suspicions confirmed when Thorin continued to remain silent and glaring up at the king. "You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule: the King's Jewel, the Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure. I understand that. There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help."