Book 2: Hanging On [Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter 9

"The sun's on the rise," Bofur spoke up. "Must be nearly dawn."

All hummed in agreement, feeling fatigue beginning to set in. Hours passed since their arrival. Only Tauriel came at one point in the evening when there seemed to be celebrations going on in the halls above them. A few of the company nodded off, others refusing to fully let down their guard and had a rather restless night.

"We're never going to reach the mountain," Ori sighed heavily.

He spoke the truth. None discovered a way to escape these cells no matter how hard they searched. Their chances of finding the hidden door into Erebor were slipping away with every hour that passed.

"Not in there you're not."

Their heads picked up at the new voice, rushing to their doors and seeing their burglar standing just outside Thorin's cell holding a set of keys. All were surprised yet overjoyed to see him.

"Bilbo!" Kíli exclaimed. The others joined in the excitement as the Hobbit opened the prince's door. He quickly hushed them, whispering harshly under his breath,

"There are guards nearby!"

Bilbo rushed around to every holding cell quickly, Poppy pulling him in for a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're alright," she breathed.

He returned the gesture, "I'm glad you were unharmed too."

"Up the stairs," Thorin's voice whispered. The Dwarves began making their way to the upper level.

"Not that way!" Bilbo spoke hastily under his breath. "Down here. Follow me."

The company shared a look, watching him descend the main staircase. Poppy didn't hesitate to follow him. The company changed their course and moved further into the Elven Kingdom.

It wasn't long before they found themselves surrounded by wooden structures filled with wine as barrels were scattered throughout the room. Their eyes landed on one corner. There sat a table with two Elves passed out drunk from the consumed alcohol.

"This way, come on," Bilbo coaxed them forward.

"I don't believe it, we're in the cellars!" Kíli hissed.

"You were supposed to be leading us out, not further in!" Bofur protested.

"I know what I'm doing!" Bilbo spoke quickly, trying to keep his voice down. "This way! This way!"

They followed him warily further in, eyes flickering around as if the Hobbit led them to their demise. Elves could emerge out of the shadows at any moment. Coming to the back of the cellar the only thing left stood a mound of barrels laying on their sides and stacked on top of each other.

"Everyone, climb into the barrels, quickly!" Bilbo ordered.

Confusion couldn't even begin to describe what they were feeling as the Dwarves exchanged looks.

"Are you mad?" Dwalin hissed.

But Poppy was already climbing inside one of the lower ones. Not questioning his cousin in the slightest.

"They'll find us!"

Her head poked out of the top watching as the company began to protest this idea of hiding in plain sight.

"No, no, they won't. I promise you. Please, please," Bilbo begged. "You must trust me."

Muttering amongst them, the Hobbit looked to Thorin for help with pleading eyes to force them inside the drums before the guards came looking. They were wasting valuable time.