There were few people that Thorin Oakenshield trusted. He trusted his kin, but that was it. After losing the Lonely Mountain, the dwarves of Erebor were looked down upon by many races of Middle Earth and elves had a special place of distrust in Thor...
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"Galion, you old rogue, we're running out of drink."
"These empty barrels should have been sent back to Esgaroth hours ago. The bargeman will be waiting for them."
"Say what you like about our ill-tempered king, but he has excellent taste in wine. Come, Elros, try it."
"I have the dwarves and those two elleths in my charge."
"They're locked up. Where can they go?"
Bilbo couldn't help but chuckle silently as the elves went off to drink. He slowly explored the cellar, taking in the stacked barrels. It seemed there was a lever, most likely triggering the large door under the barrels. He recalled seeing a river when they were in the forest, which led to a large lake. Perfect.
Once he was sure that the elven guards were drunk, he hurried over to the nook where they had hung the keys. He struggled only a little to reach them - darn elves were too tall - but managed to get them without a noise. He grasped them tightly, not wanting the keys to risk clanging together as he moved.
Bilbo climbed back up the stairs, thankful that it was a straight shot back to the prison. As he approached, he could hear the dwarves grumbling and moaning about their captivity.
"I'll wager the sun's on the rise," Bofur said. "Must be nearly dawn."
"We're never going to reach the mountain, are we?" Ori said sadly.
Bilbo slipped the gold ring off his finger and into his pocket before sliding into view of the cells. He found himself looking into Thorin's cell.
"Not stuck in here, you're not," Bilbo said.
"Bilbo," Thorin breathed.
All around, dwarves were jumping to their feet and racing to the cell doors. Several began calling his name and cheering.
Bilbo quickly tried to shush them.
"There are guards nearby!"
The hobbit quickly unlocked Thorin's door, giving the dwarf a quick nod before moving to the next. One by one, he unlocked the cells, smiling at the company as he did. He briefly heard Thorin give an order to shut the doors to buy them more time. Bilbo had to cross a small bridge in order to get to the rest of the company.
"I'm glad to see you are all right, Master Baggins," Oreliell said as he approached.
He smiled up at her and pulled her door open. He scurried down the line and found Vedis next, unlocking her cell. She bowed her head to him in thanks. When Bilbo turned back to the company, a small sight momentarily caught him off guard.
Thorin had apparently followed Bilbo across the bridge, but stopped at Oreliell's cell. His hand was just grazing her arm while hers seemed to rest by his shoulder. Upon slightly closer inspection, Bilbo thought he could see her fingers fiddling with the ends of his hair. But almost as quickly as he had seen it, their hands dropped as if nothing had happened.
"Up the stairs," Thorin said, starting to guide them all toward the nearest stairwell.
"Not that way," Bilbo quickly said, going the other direction. "Down here. Follow me."
Bilbo barely glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were following, but could hear their footsteps. He prayed that the elves wouldn't be able to hear their heavy feet.
As they got closer to the cellar, Bilbo slowed down, motioning for the company to be quiet. He let out a breath of air when he saw that they were passed out drunk.
"This way," Bilbo whispered. "Come on."
"I can't believe it," Kili grumbled. "We're in the cellars!"
"You were supposed to be leading us out, not further in!" Bofur whispered harshly.
"I know what I'm doing!"
Several of them shushed him, making Bilbo roll his eyes. He motioned for them to keep moving, trying to direct them toward the barrels. The sisters paused beside Bilbo and Thorin, observing the scene in front of them.
"Everyone, climb into the barrels, quickly!"
Dwalin quickly turned around to look at Bilbo.
"Are you mad? They'll find us."
"No, no, they won't. I promise you. Please, please, you must trust me!"
The dwarves continued to grumble for several seconds. Too many seconds. They were going to get caught. Bilbo looked at Thorin for help.
"Do as he says!" he ordered.
The company then scrambled into barrels, helping one another into the higher ones. Thorin started to move too but he paused to look at Oreliell. Bilbo followed his gaze and noticed that the sisters were looking behind them.
"What is it?" Bilbo asked.
"They know we're gone," Oreliell said.
"Then we need to hurry," Thorin said.
"You all go. We'll buy you time."
"What?" Both Thorin and Bilbo spoke at the same time.
"Get in the barrels. Vedis and I will buy you time. Thranduil will be too busy with us to try and pursue you even if he had a desire to do it himself." Vedis was already stepping away from them to keep guard. Oreliell looked at the two of them, but Bilbo thought her gaze lingered on Thorin a little longer. "Go. We'll be fine. You have a mountain to reach."
Thorin paused for a long moment before nodding. He didn't look entirely thrilled with their decision, but had accepted it anyway.
"Tira ten' rashwe."
Bilbo's eyes widened a little bit, recognizing the language from his lips, but not the words themselves.
"En' rant," Oreliell replied. "Asca."
Thorin turned and quickly moved to his own barrel. Once he was inside, Bilbo quickly counted to make sure that they were present.
"What do we do now?" Bofur asked.
Bilbo saw them all stick their heads out to look at him.
"Hold your breath."
"Hold my breath? What do you mean?"
Bilbo reached forward and pulled the lever. The floor tilted down, causing the barrels to begin to roll. The dwarves cried out in shock as they rolled then fell into the water below. Oreliell laughed as they disappeared from sight.
"Brilliant thinking, Bilbo," she said. She glanced over her shoulder. In the distance, he thought he could hear shouting. "You better get out of here too. The company needs their burglar."
"You two are sure about this? It just feels wrong leaving you behind."
"We'll be fine, Bilbo. We'll see you again. Now hurry."
They both looked toward the stairs, hearing Tauriel approaching. Bilbo shuffled back quickly, nervous. Suddenly, he felt the floor tilt below him. His eyes widened as he realized what was happening. He cried out as he slid back and into the river.
The last thing he saw before taking the plunge was Oreliell glancing at him to make sure he had made it out.
