A gloomy pall hung over Mirkwood, seeping beneath my skin causing me to shiver. Of course, that had less to do with the spooky atmosphere and more to do with the spiders I knew skittered somewhere in the forest. My eyes darted around the skeletal trees, noting the clawed hands of the limbs draped with spiderwebs and bearded moss.

The moment I set foot on the elven road a dizziness washed over me, churning my stomach into a tornado of nausea. After a few minutes of trudging along I couldn't take it anymore. Bracing against a tree root, I closed my eyes willing the disorientation to pass.

When I opened them Bilbo and the dwarves were gone. I fought down a surge of panic. How could they have vanished so quickly?

Hurriedly scanning my surroundings, I spotted them ahead just around the bend. I rushed to catch up, only to trip over a tree root and fall flat on my face. Wincing, I slowly lifted my head. Pain throbbed through my wrist.

I really hated this place.

Scrambling upright I cursed when I realized I lost sight of the Company again. Bracing myself, I proceeded down the road cautiously. A sepulchral gust sent a flurry of dead leaves across the cracked and broken stone reminding me of the inherent danger lurking in the broken landscape beyond massive spiders weaving their webs.

A sudden howl of frustration cracked through the gloom. "Is there no end to this accursed forest?"

My head shot up. Thorin. Turning in a slow circle I searched for the Company leader. He was to the left in the distance on a broken arched bridged. The other dwarves were scattered far and wide around him.

Crap.

I began to hyperventilate. We were all strewn about like pool balls shot by an unskilled hand. How the hell were we going to get out of this mess?

Taking slow breaths to calm myself, I put on my metaphorical big girl pants and continued down the road alone. I had to have faith the rest of the Company would find their way back. Until then I had to stay focused. It wouldn't do for me to get lost too.

Gandalf told me to rely on my instincts.

Time seemed to proceed at a crawl. The density of the canopy prevented me from gauging the position of the sun which meant I had no clue how long I'd been trudging along.

I clenched and unclenched my jaw repeatedly as I walked. The unnatural quiet ate away at my nerves. The light patter of feet in the limbs above jerked me to a halt.

Thick silver rope unspooled from the foliage and several slender figures rappelled to the ground and surrounded me. I gulped at the multitude of arrowheads trained on me and slowly raised my uninjured hand in surrender. "Parley?"

A handsome blond elf in dragon scale armor worthy of a Targaryen, broke through the circle and assessed me with cold eyes. "Who are you?" He said in Common Speech.

My heart did a somersault. Legolas! I resisted the urge to fangirl. My favorite character aside from Bilbo!

His cupid bow lips turned down into a scowl. "Woman, why have you trespassed in the lands of my people?"

I blinked stupidly, realizing he'd just asked me a question. "Um, what?"

Legolas took a step forward. "Who are you?"

Okay, I needed to spend a little less time admiring his sexy elven self and a little more groveling. I hitched a sweet smile into place. The one I used on Bilbo when I accidentally burned his dinner or forgot to weed the garden.

"I'm Adelaide Monroe." I held out my hand and the elven prince stared at it coolly. I dropped it. "Never mind."

"Adelaide Monroe." Legolas repeated slowly, tasting the foreignness of it. Suddenly, he pinned me with his sharp gaze. "You have crossed our borders without leave. For this you must answer to the king." He spun on his heel and barked something in Elvish.

A pair of red-haired female elves flanked me. With my broken wrist they couldn't tie me up. A male elf took my pack and searched for weapons. There wasn't much. One of the she-elves patted me down and checked my coat pockets. She studied the mace with a puzzled frown. "What is this?"

"A beauty product." I lied and gestured at my face. "To reduce redness in the skin."

The she-elf shrugged gracefully and tucked the mace in her own pocket. I bit my bottom lip hard, wanting to protest but knowing it'd give me away.

The other she-elf shoved me between the shoulder blades and the three of us set off together leaving Legolas and a large contingent of guards behind. I peered over my shoulder for one final glimpse of Legolas Greenleaf. He had a firm shapely ass that was emphasized by his tight leggings. A damn shame he was staying behind. If I'm going to be arrested, I'd at least like something gorgeous to look at during the trek through Mirkwood.

OoO

We crossed a footbridge leading to a pair of elegantly carved stone doors. A small waterfall spilled into the ravine nearby. What's with elves and waterfalls? I wondered as the doors opened with the ominous sound of stone scraping against stone.

My captors led me over a tree root bridge that was fine for a nimble-footed elf but a bit more dangerous for an awkward, clumsy human. I almost plunged to my death twice.

The she-elves bracketed me to prevent another slip until we reached the throne room. A fair-haired elf lounged lazily in his throne. He regarded me coldly with pale blue eyes as we arrived at the foot of his dais.

All Thranduil needed was a chain and a bucket of water and he could have his own Flash Dance moment. I burst into giggles at the image and clapped a hand over my mouth when the elven king arched a thick brow. "What is this?"

The she-elf to my left brought her fist over her heart in salute. "A trespasser, my lord."

Thranduil looked at me expectantly.

I swallowed my laughter and put my game-face on. "I got separated from my friends. We are traveling at the behest of Gandalf the Grey."

"Your friends?"

"A group of dwarves and a hobbit." I supplied.

"What business do you have in these lands for I know nothing of Mithrandir's intent." He replied in a deep carefully measured tone.

At least he didn't seem mad at me. Yet. If I were a dwarf I'm sure it'd be a different story.

Thranduil mouth curled in an icy smile that didn't reach his eyes. "The ways of Men have not changed so much that they allow their women to roam free." He flicked a strand of pale hair over his shoulder. "You do not have the look of the Rohirrim. You could past for Gondorian I suppose."

"I am not from Rohan or Gondor." I agreed pleasantly. "I have recently been in the employ of Bilbo Baggins in the Shire."

Swinging his boots to the floor Thranduil descended the stairs slowly. "What is a human woman doing among Hobbits?"

The line of questioning was getting dangerous. My mind frantically pedaled through options before landing on something when he stopped in front of me. I met his gaze. "Do you happen to know Lord Aelfric? We met in Rivendell. He can vouch for me."

It was asking a lot but we had danced together during the midsummer celebration after all and he didn't seem to hate my company.

The elven king shifted his gaze toward the she-elves. "Summon Lord Aelfric. I wish to speak with him at once."

Which left me alone with Thranduil. I fidgeted nervously under his scrutiny aware of how grubby and dirty I was.

After a minute he grew tired of standing with me in silence and went to fill a goblet of wine. I was surprised when he produced one for me.

Surprised and suspicious. The wine was good. Sweet and earthy. I suppose a king would only have the best for himself.

A guard darted into the room. "My lord, we have captured a company of dwarves in the forest."

A cunning expression crossed Thranduil's face. "Throw them in the cells."

I winced and buried my nose in my goblet.

The elven king turned back to me. "So. What are you and your companions after? The mountain of riches guarded by a dragon beyond my borders?"

I rolled my eyes. I couldn't help it. Is gold all anyone thought of in Middle-Earth? I swallowed another mouthful of wine. "My friends and I have different objectives. I seek a way home. I've been acting as their scribe for the journey."

I doubted Thranduil would care about my second part of the mission. He'd probably throw a party if Thorin died.

"True or not, you are foolish to place your trust in dwarves." Thranduil assessed me over the rim of his goblet. "They care nothing for outsiders. I suspect this is more of Gandalf's meddling."

He wasn't wrong.

"Not to be rude, but I don't see what this has to do with you. It's my business." I didn't want to have to share yet again how I came from a different world.

"You are correct. Your fate is irrelevant, but I seek answers about the dwarves' intentions. If I cannot get them from you, I will apply pressure to the leader of the Company."

"That's awfully direct." I remarked.

Amused, Thranduil canted his head to the side. "I want there to be no misunderstanding. This is my kingdom and my will rules here."

"Fair enough." I set my empty goblet down on the little side table and propped my hand on my hip. "I'll be direct too. I won't betray my friends to a complete stranger. I have to say, Lord Elrond is a lot nicer."

"Lord Elrond can afford to be generous in his hospitality because Imladris does not suffer the dangers Mirkwood is plagued with." Thranduil snapped.

Um, the party of orcs Elrond killed would claim otherwise.

"My lord?" A soft male voice floated into the throne room. Aelfric strode into view looking confused until he saw me, and the confusion melted. "Lady Adelaide? What are you doing here?"

I showed him my splint and his green eyes darkened with concern.

"Do you know this woman, Lord Aelfric?" The elven king inquired.

"Yes, my lord. We met during my stay in Imladris. She was a part of a Company led by Gandalf the Grey." Aelfric answered, his gaze fixated on me. "She is your prisoner, my lord?" He asked reaching for my hand. "May I?"

Thranduil inclined his head.

Aelfric examined the splint Oin had constructed for me. "If you have no objection, I will take her to the infirmary."

Thranduil flicked a bejeweled hand at us dismissively. "For the time being she will be a guest in these halls. Arrange a room and a bath after you have completed your examination, Lord Aelfric."

In this case I think guest and prisoner were the same. I let Aelfric lead me away glad to be free of Thranduil's stifling presence. The infirmary was a clean and spacious room with a single window.

The healer was used to seeing me in a state of disarray, so I didn't feel as self-conscious when Aelfric made me sit on the edge of a bed and pushed back my sleeves.

A deep furrowed appeared between his brows. "So many bruises. You are ill-suited for the journey you have set yourself upon, my lady."

The lantern light turned his hair into spun gold. Lord Aelfric is one of the most gorgeous elves I'd ever seen and I was happy to see a familiar face in this place. He tested my damaged wrist carefully and nodded. "I can fashion a better splint. One that is proof against most elements."

I grabbed his hand. "Will you help me rescue the others?"

Lord Aelfric frowned. "I will not disobey the king. Nor should you seek to anger him after he has offered hospitality. It would be the gravest offense."

"Do you mean he'll execute me?" I squeaked my heart racing in fear.

"Please, Lady Adelaide. Have you not caused yourself enough suffering?"

Aelfric sounded genuinely upset. I averted my gaze unable to answer for my newly developed self-masochistic streak.

The healer dabbed ointment on my scratches and bruises. Finding more of them on my legs and back, his disapproving frown deepened. When he finished, he led me through a warren of tunnels until we reached the guest quarters.

A maid waited at the entry of the bedchamber. She curtsied to Lord Aelfric who inclined his head in greeting. "Lady Adelaide will take her meals in her room until the king deems otherwise."

Aelfric wore a stern expression when he took my hand in his. "These are not the Halls of Lord Elrond. Behave with discretion, my lady." He squeezed my palm lightly then whirled away, striding down the corridor quickly.

A steaming tub of water waited in the middle of the room. The maid departed after laying a clean nightgown on the edge of the bed. A key turned in the lock followed by the maid's retreating footsteps.

Alone, the tension drained out of me. I managed to land on the bed before my legs buckled. I was a prisoner in Thranduil's halls. At the mercy of the mercurial king.

A/N: I finally updated. Sorry for taking so long but I was totally uninspired. Anyway, I plan to make some deviations from the original plot from here on out otherwise I might get bored again. So, thanks for your patience I hope you enjoyed the chapter.