13 Dwarves, A Wizard, A Hobbit, and a Hostage

An Unexpected Kidnapping

"Must you go?" Legolas Greenleaf asks me as I move around my chamber.

"It isn't like I'll be gone very long," I laugh. "It's only Rivendell."

"Rivendell is many a day's ride from here. Esthariel, please."

"I can handle myself, Legolas. Your father has given me permission to go. Besides," I smile, turning to look at him as I finish rolling a bedroll. "This gives you more chances of alone time with Tauriel."

He has the decency to look abashed and I smirk, turning to finish packing before we walk down to ready my horse together. He straps my quiver to my horse as I strap my swords to it, then I look at him while a servant puts my cloak around my shoulders, allowing me to fasten it myself. With that, I swing up onto my horse and smile down at him, where he takes my hand and kisses it before I curl it in the reigns.

"We will miss the unusual beauty you bring to our kingdom, my lady," he tells me.

"Well the next time you see my mother you can thank her for it."

He chuckles and then I flick the reins, urging my horse. It takes off and rides. I ride for days. The days turn into weeks. As I pass through Dunland, I stop, watering my horse. Suddenly, my world goes black. When my eyes open, my hands are bound in front of me and I'm riding on a small pony, a glance behind telling me my horse is being pulled along. Looking further behind me, I see a dwarf. He has black hair, very long, with a smaller beard. But I recognize him. Thorin Oakenshield. Son of Thrain. Son of Thror. That's when I realize my weapons are gone and I start struggling, gritting my teeth in determination.

"You can try, but I know how to tie a knot. You won't get free," he tells me, making me jump, and I almost fall off of the horse.

He sighs, pulling his pony to a halt, and I swing myself down from it, pulling on the long rope. He grips it tighter, his calloused hands perfect for holding onto it. He does let me mount my own horse, but then he continues holding the rope that keeps me from freedom, and looking around, I realize we're almost to Bree.

"Where are you taking me, Dwarf?" I ask, hate dripping into my words.

"To Bree, Mistress Elf," he replies.

"You cannot kidnap me in this manner!"

"But I already did!"

"Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves!" I cry in exasperation. "I am Esthariel, daughter of Galadriel, ward of Thranduil of the Woodland Realm, and you will release me!"

"I will not!"

I huff and cross my arms. It's petulance, I'm aware, and acting like a child won't get me far, but I've frustrated the dwarvish king without a crown. With luck, he will realize that I, too, can be stubborn, and that the best option for him is to release me. I get no such luck. Instead, we dismount our horses, stable them in Bree, and then it's raining. He permits me to put my hood up, and then he pulls me through the streets of the village. We enter an inn by the name of the Prancing Pony and go to a table in the back near the fireplace. While he orders his food, I request nothing but some wine. Much of my time is spent watching the surroundings, careful not to miss a thing. The two thugs on either side of us make me weary and I shift, my hand itching towards my knife. Thorin is feeling much the same and he reaches for his own sword. Before either of us can draw the weapons, a man with a tall and pointy grey hat, a long grey beard with grey hair, and a long grey robe sits down in front of Thorin, and I sigh in relief.

"Mithrandir," I breathe softly.

"Well. This is a fine chance. What brings Thorin Oakenshield to Bree?" he asks, paying me no mind.

I don't pay attention to Thorin's responses, instead spending time moving closer to Gandalf the Grey until he notices me, and he bows his head.

"Traveling in good company, Thorin," he nods in approval, then he notices my bonds and he turns to glare at the dwarf. "This is not acceptable. You will release her."

"I will not."

Gandalf sighs deeply and rolls his eyes before he turns to Thorin, urging him to take back the Lonely Mountain. Gandalf continues his urgings, and as Thorin pays no mind to the order of his head, I read the cloth of Black Speech, looking at Gandalf in fear.

"The Arkenstone lies half a world away. Buried beneath the feet of a fire breathing dragon," Thorin whispers harshly.

"Yes, it does. Which is why we are going to need a burglar," Gandalf says, and I look at him, wide eyed.

My relief is heavy when they reveal I am not the one planned to be their burglar. Soon, we are on the way to a meeting of the seven dwarf kingdoms, despite Gandalf's arguing to let me go with him, Thorin insisted I be the one to go. He does not trust Gandalf to not set me free. I am a hostage on a mad adventure across Middle Earth. This is not okay.

Alright, none of the dialogue from The Hobbit belongs to me, nor do any of the characters except for Esthariel who is an OC that belongs to me. Hope you enjoyed!