"sana sen a' i' band." the blond prince ordered. I stepped forward to go with them but a pale hand shot out in front of me, blocking my path, "il- lle, i' aran lotesse merna quen- yassen lle"

{"Take them to the cells. Not you, the king will want to speak with you"

I was led into the throne room where the silver-haired elven King lounged in his throne. He wore dazzlingly elegant robes that bared resemblance to the stars that they celebrated so passionately. I couldn't help but feel drawn to his crown. It was beautiful yet deadly, seeming to reflect its owner, it shared its theme with the seasons that surround it's home; this time of year, it held gleaming red berries like jewels. His brilliant blue eyes flicked up to mine, which shook me from my thoughts and pierced right through my very soul. I looked down, unable to meet his stare. His bored expression never changed, only intensified as he spoke, "Legolas, ya naa sina ar' mani naa re uma-ien sinome?"

{"Who is this and what is she doing here?"

"Re avare nanquen- amin e' i' taure," The elven prince, Legolas answered, "lye utue he' yassen naugrim."

{"She refused to answer me in the forest, we found her with dwarves."

They both carried an air of disgust about them as if I was a lesser being; even lesser than an ork. I felt the anger once again return and I clenched my fists to try to concentrate and repress the emotion.

"mani naa lle umaien sinome?" the king demanded, "mankoi uma lle tolka i' naugrim?" he spat the last word in distaste. It seemed that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

{"What are you doing here? Why do you help the dwarves?"

I turned my head away and didn't respond.

"You will answer me" The king declared. I simply huffed in response. They clearly did not wish to aid the dwarves which meant that it was best to remain silent.

I suddenly felt the familiar cold edge of Legolas' sword meeting my back. He leant next to my ear, "If you valued your life, you would obey King Thranduil of Mirkwood."

The threat was imminent but my mind was elsewhere. Perhaps Bilbo had infiltrated the kingdom, and with his ring, he could help us escape unscathed. If I answered then I might be sent to the cells to where I could help the others. I had no other choice but to make my intentions known.

"Mithrandir had sent me to watch over the Dwarves." I kept my answer short, trying not to give away too much.

"And what would your name be?" Thranduil asked curtly, sighing as if he was frustrated already.

"My name is..." I paused. Would it be wise to share my name?

"Speak up," Legolas said shortly, pushing the tip of his blade further into my back causing me to hiss slightly in frustration.

"My name is Caladhiel," I finally brought myself to say.

"Where are you from, Caladhiel?" Thranduil asked. This time sounding less impatient.

"I do not know," I began. I might as well share this because if I don't I am the one who suffers, "I was staying in Rivendell until recently."

"So you are an orphan as far as I am concerned," he stated bluntly. I huffed in annoyance only to be reminded of the dagger at my back. I wasn't done being interrogated, "Why are the dwarves heading for the lonely mountain?

I was shocked, "The lonely mountain but ho-" I was quickly cut off.

"Why else would they be here?" Thranduil stated, "Do you think me naive"

"No," this wasn't going well, "goheno nin. I did know of their destination, but not their goal."

{"Forgive me."

"So you would eagerly adhere to the word of Gandalf the grey without a second thought to any ulterior motives," Thranduil pondered thoughtfully.

"I would him my service if he so asked," I attempted to justify my so-called gullibleness, "I owe my life to Radagast and therefore in extension, Gandalf."

"He sweeps into kingdoms when things are bad and often delivers more bad news," Thranduil didn't seem pleased to hear that Gandalf was involved. He then stood from his throne and began to glide down from his platform. He paused before me, "I wish to make a deal with you ereb er," he began to drift; circling me like a wolf sniffing out a weakness in the composure of its prey, "I will free you and your dwarven company but I return, you must convince Thorin to return what was once mine."

{"Lonely one"

"What would his majesty have returned?" I knew that I had to tread carefully, Thranduil seemed as unpredictable as the wargs I had encountered many weeks ago. He even resembled them as he paced about me.

"White gems of pure starlight which were stolen from me long ago." He seethed at the memory and paused at my side.

This would not work, "lle merna sina en' amin? even ho mellonea-aya il- uma sina -"

{"you ask this of me? even his friends could not do this -"

"Enough." Legolas interrupted, impatiently, "You will obey my father if you wish to be free."

"I will ask once more," The king sighed angrily, "do we have an accord?"

I would never achieve such trust from one so prejudiced as Thorin. "No."

"Very well," He turned from me to returned to his royal seat, slumped in it once again and ordered me away, "She is no longer of use to me. Lock her up with the others."

As I was led away, I remembered that I had been told once that he knew nothing of Gandalf's true identity. Radagast had also told me in passing that Thranduil cared less for the Valar than Lord Elrond. This was certainly the case.

Legolas, with his blade at my back, pushed me down the twisting stone paths and further into the darkness. Despite being underground, the air didn't feel close or uncomfortable. Even the stone columns were carved to resemble the trees of Mirkwood. I decided to tempt fate, "Why do you see others as beneath you? I understand your position as the prince but surely it is better to be loved than hated."

"You hate me?" Legolas shot back, pushing his sword closer into my skin as we walked.

Oh dear. I overstepped the line, "No I didn't me-"

"What does it matter to me" Legolas spat. For a second I heard his voice falter as if he had been wounded by my comment, but his steely expression returned, "You are hardly in a position to question my attitude towards others." Perhaps I imagined it.

As I was roughly shoved into my cell I was left with one thought: It seemed that Bilbo was my only hope of leaving this place.