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WHILE THORIN WAS MEETING WITH THE KING, MARISTELA HAD A VISITOR in the form of Legolas who was carrying supplies to fix up her shoulder. Once he reached her cell, he had the guard unlock it and he stepped inside with the door being shut behind him, the guard stayed close by just in case the Prince needed help. "Can I help you?" Maristela asked Legolas though she didn't look his way, her eyes focused on the wall across from her. "I'm here to fix the wound in your shoulder," Legolas offered, when she didn't protest, he made his way over to her and sat down.

"I'll need you to remove--" Legolas was cut off by Maristela removing the top layer of her cloak revealing an untraditional sleeveless shirt showing past scars from blades and arrows. However, what caught his attention was the scar that started at her collarbone and disappeared down the middle of her chest; he turned his eyes away. "This will hurt," Legolas warned as he pushed the small layer of clothing from her shoulder aside to allow him full sight of the arrow wound. He dipped a cloth into a bowl of warm water before moving to wipe the blood away from her shoulder, she tensed for a moment before relaxing under his gentle touch.

"You didn't need to do this," Maristela told Legolas who was disappointed to notice that she had yet to look at him. "It was my friend who had shoot you, it feels like my responsibility to mend it," Legolas told her as he continued to clean the wound to prevent infection. "Your friend acted due to the fact that I held a blade to your throat," Maristela reminded him but she noticed how he seemed more impressed than annoyed at that fact. "You don't seem angered by my actions," Maristela pointed out to the Elf of Mirkwood. "I'm more impressed that you outmatched me," Legolas replied finally catching her gaze.

Legolas stared into Maristela's deep brown eyes, the color reminded him of the Greenwood soil when it was healthy and the sweet chocolates he used to sneak out of the kitchens when he was just an Elfling. Her fair skin seemed smooth compared to her arms that were littered with battle scars, something he deeply admired. There was a small scar from her hairline to her eyebrow that was only noticeable when you were close but it simply added to the beauty she held. Legolas had seen many beautiful Elves in his time but the Elleth sat by him was a Jewel more rare than any he had ever seen; and he was blessed to be in her presence.

"Are you just going to stare at me or are you going to stitch this up?" Maristela asked Legolas pulling him from his gaze on her, he cleared his throat and focused on the wound in her shoulder. Maristela smirked slightly at the sight of pink within his cheeks, she shook her head to herself before thinking this through. It would be completely wrong of her to take advantage of the clear admiration in his eyes, to use how he is possibly feeling against him to save herself and the others. "I'm guessing once we step into these cells, there is no escape from them," Maristela inquired offhandedly.

"Trepassing onto the King's land without permission is a great offence," Legolas replied to her in a monotone voice in an attempt to hide his emotions but Maristela could feel the uncertainty he held. "Even if we were just passing through with no intention of disturbing the Woodland Realm?" Maristela said as Legolas began stitching the wound together, his gentle touch was something she hadn't been expecting from him. He was silent so she continued, "It's unfair. To be trapped here because your father desires gems and me."

Legolas froze in place hearing Maristela's words, he didn't dare look at her as he took in her words. He knew his father had something he desired in that mountain, the white gems of starlight that Legolas momentarily thought belonged upon Maristela's head rather than in his father's hands. But he didn't know that his father desired Maristela to stay within his hold, he didn't understand why his father wanted her to stay and he hoped that Thorin wouldn't be willing to give her up. "How did you know--" Legolas was cut off by Maristela, "King Thranduil only had one child, a son. Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm."

Legolas' heart skipped a beat at hearing her say his name, it sounded sweet upon her tongue and he had to fight off the blush in his cheeks. He had to remind himself that Maristela was an Elf of Rivendell and a ranger known through the lands which meant she would be informed of the kingdoms and their families. "He won't keep us here. We'll escape and if it means beheading your king, I will do it," Maristela warned. From his cell, Fíli smirked at her words, he didn't like knowing the Elf Prince was in the cell with her considering he noticed the way Legolas looked at her; he wouldn't lose her to an Elf, much less an Elf of Mirkwood.

"You cannot behead the king if you are locked in a cell," Legolas told her, a bitter tone in his words due to what she had said; he may not agree with his father but he certainly wouldn't let someone kill him. "Locked in a cell for now. Until your father reveals why he so desperately wants me in his dungeon like some trophy," Maristela replied to him as they heard Thorin talking to Balin about the deal the former had denied. "Whatever he wants me for, Legolas, will not end well for him or you. I have many friends who will search for me should I not visit or send letters," Maristela continued as Legolas looked up at her, she leaned closer to him.

He was silent as he packed everything up into the small box, he stood up and walked towards the cell door. "No harm will come to the king," Legolas warned her before turning his head slightly, "Nor will any harm come to you." Maristela furrowed her brows at the softness of his voice before watching him leave the cell, the guard locking it before walking away. Legolas noticed Fíli watching him closely with a glare before Fíli turned slightly, "You okay, amrâlímê?" Legolas sneered hearing that term before he turned to storm away as Maristela replied, "I'm fine, Fi. You can relax."

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Legolas barely acknowledged Tauriel as he left the dungeon, he dropped the box of healing supplies to the side before making his way towards the throne room where his father was lounged on his throne without a care in the world. "You asked Thorin for the gems?" Legolas asked his father. King Thranduil turned his attention to his son, "Yes, I did. However, he refused me and now he and his company shall suffer for it." Legolas thought back on what Maristela had said and decided it was worth asking his father what his intentions were in regards to her.

"And what of Maristela?" Legolas asked trying to remain stoic in his curiosity. "Ah, the young Elleth of Rivendell. She seems to have caught your eye, has she not?" King Thranduil questioned his son as he sat up on his throne, his eyes honing in on Legolas. "I'm just curious, father. What worth does she have that she matches that of those gems of starlight?" Legolas inquired hoping to dodge the question his father asked. "Do you know why they call her Lady of Starlight, Legolas? No?" King Thranduil asked, Legolas shaking his head at his father's question.

"Estelle Maladrosa was no ordinary Elleth nor was she just the captain of the guard in Rivendell. She was blessed by the Valar with far more gifts then she ever revealed," King Thranduil expressed as he stood from his throne, approaching the Sword of Raelia. "The Maladrosa bloodline dates back to Raelia herself and this very blade in the hands of that bloodline creates a warrior so strong that not even the Nazgul can stand against them," King Thranduil continued before turning his attention to his son, "A Necromancer would offer great benefits for her head."

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Back in the cells, Tauriel had left after her conversation with Kíli and Maristela was playing with her outer layer. Legolas had left the bowl of water behind with the cloth, she was using it to clean the blood from her clothes when she became curious about something. "Thorin," Maristela called out gaining his attention. "Yes, Mari?" Thorin called back as he sat up straighter in his cell. "Why didn't you accept his deal about handing me over? You know I am okay with that. You need to get to the mountain and I'd find a way out," Maristela expressed to Thorin who shook his head.

"I wouldn't leave any of you behind. You are one of us, Mari. I would never leave a friend behind," Thorin answered her, Maristela smiled as her eyes grew misty from his response. "Well... I don't know how to respond to that," Maristela replied making the Dwarves laugh. "Don't worry, I'm sure he understands," Dwalin spoke up making them chuckle more. "You all mean something to me, you know. You're my family and meeting all of you has been a blessing in my life," Maristela voiced causing them to go silent, the words coming from an Elf meant something more than just words.

"I'll wager the sun's on the rise. It must be nearly dawn," Bofur spoke up after some time of silence, Maristela had pulled her outer layer on and was sitting on the stone bed with her eyes closed enjoying the peace. "We're never going to reach the mountain, are we?" Ori asked the others but no one answered until suddenly Bilbo appeared by Thorin's cell. "Not stuck in here, you're not!" Bilbo exclaimed as he jangled the keys he had stolen. Thorin and the others jumped up in surprise while Maristela grinned ignoring the dread she felt in regards to the Ring, it would be a later problem.

"Bilbo!" Balin exclaimed happily while the others cheered for his presence. "Shhh! There are guards nearby!" Bilbo told them. He unlocks Thorin's cell and lets him out before proceeding to let the others free of their cages, they chuckle gleefully at their good fortune. Some pf the Dwarves start walking in a certain direction before getting stopped by Bilbo as Fíli grabbed Maristela's hand and pulled her closer to him, the Elleth knew he hated being away from her and knowing the King wanted to keep her there, she was at great risk. "Not that way, down here. Follow me," Bilbo instructed them.

Bilbo proceeds to lead the Dwarves through the Woodland Realm as they whisper amongst each other trusting their Hobbit. They eventually find themselves in the wine cellar where Elven guards were sound asleep around the table with several empty bottles of wine in front of them; Bilbo leads the Dwarves and Maristela further into the room. "This way," Bilbo whispered to them. "I don't believe it; we're in the cellars!" Kíli exclaimed to them. "You were supposed to be leading us out, not further in!" Bofur scolded Bilbo in a whisper-shout. "I know what I'm doing," Bilbo exclaimed to them.

They sneak their way into a large room in which several barrels are stacked sideways down the middle of the room; All barrels have one end open. In the meantime, the Elven guards open the cell doors to find them empty and immediately become panicked at the missing Dwarves and the King's trophy. "Everyone, climb into the barrels, quickly!" Bilbo instructed the Dwarves and Maristela. "Are you mad?! They'll find us!" Dwalin sneered at the Hobbit while Maristela caught onto his idea, she moved towards the barrels and climbed into the bottom one forcing her taller self into the small space.

After Thorin's order, the others followed suite and Fíli was quick to climb into the one next to Maristela while Kíli climbed into the one on the other side of her, Bofur in the barrel above her. "What do we do now?" Bofur asked Bilbo who had finished ensuring each of the Company had managed to get out and into a barrel. All of the Dwarves stick their heads out of their barrels and watch Bilbo as he walks toward a lever in the ground. "Hold your breath," Bilbo warned them causing Maristela to frown, she immediately knew what the plan was. "Hold my breath? What do you mean?" Bofur asked but Bilbo simply pulled the lever sending them out of the cellar into a river.

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「 ✦ 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 ✦ 」

So Thranduil wants to use Maristela to strike a deal with the Necromancer. And he has revealed something important about the Maladrosa bloodline, do you think Maristela carries that power too?

Thoughts on Legolas and Maristela's encounter?

Thoughts on Fíli calling Maristela amrâlìmê?

Thoughts on Maristela's friendship with the Dwarves?

Thoughts on Maristela's trust in Bilbo?

Extra thoughts on this chapter?
Predictions? Theories? Suggestions?

See you in the next chapter!