We crossed over a bridge to some sort of castle built into the mountain. The Elves gave me confused glares as we were taken into the castle. They whispered among themselves, probably about me. The gates closed behind us, and we walked over several tree roots for paths and bridges till we reached our individual prison cells.

The red-headed Elf girl pushed Kili into a cell as she held me by my arm.

Kili turned to her. "Aren't you going to search me?"

The Elf paused at him. My eyes widened in surprise. Why would he tell her he has a weapon?

"I could have anything down my trousers," Kili said. I quickly frowned at what Kili was alluding to.

"Or nothing." She closed the prison door, giving Kili a long stare.

I let out a half laugh, half snarl at her. She pushed me into my cell, next to Kili's cell, and walked away.

"What was that about," I quietly asked the Elf girl.

"What it sounded like." She smiled and closed the prison door. "It's best you remain silent, Dwarf. " She walked away quickly.

I glared at her as I pressed myself against my prison cell door.

Legolas stopped her, with Caleniel by his side, and spoke to her in Elvish, looking at Kili. She replied back angrily in Elvish, pausing and replying again. Caleniel's eyes widened as her mouth was agape, and Legolas spoke again. The Elf girl walked away, and Legolas narrowed his eyes at Kili. I stuck my tongue out at Legolas, but he didn't see me I figured.

Caleniel stepped in front of Legolas and said something in Elvish. Legolas shook his head as he replied in Elvish. Caleniel then yelled in Elvish. Legolas simply looked away as he replied quietly.

"Legolas, listen!" Caleniel sighed heavily with furrowed brows. "She is no Dwarf. She has nothing to do with their company!"

"And what?" Legolas's brows furrowed. "I let her go, and she frees the Dwarves because they have been her friends since she arrived?"

"Going on a journey with them does not mean she is a part of their company."

"Does it not?" Legolas looked at Caleniel.

Caleniel simply stared at Legolas as a few of the Dwarves pressed themselves against the doors of their cells.

"Why do you wish her to be free?" Legolas looked at me, and I blinked. "Is she your friend?"

"You cannot be a friend to someone who hates you."

"However true that may be, you are an Elf, but you were with them. Why?"

Caleniel stayed silent.

"Are you going to try and free them?"

Caleniel stayed silent again, and my eyes widened.

"Does that not make you a part of their company?"

Caleniel stepped back. "And what if it does?"

Legolas blinked and paused, lowering his eyes. "Then perhaps my father is right to favor Tauriel over you. We've been friends since we could remember, and now I see why nothing could come of it."

Caleniel's eyes widened, but she looked strong. "What do you mean?"

Legolas looked away, staying silent for a moment.

"Either way, I need to speak to your father."

"What for? To free them?"

Caleniel glared. "They've come all this way to..."

Legolas paused and turned to Caleniel. "To what?"

Caleniel took a long, deep breath. "What made you like this?"

"Like what?" Legolas looked at Caleniel.

Caleniel pursed her lips as she took a deep breath, turning to Legolas with furrowed brows. "Like your father. Ignorant to the world around himself. Blind to reason... and cold to a friend. He has a very justified reason, however... there is no reason for you to be as you are. There is nothing you care about more than yourself and Tauriel."

Legolas lowered his gaze slightly, saying nothing. He seemed to almost glare at Caleniel. "There was a time I cared for more."

"Many years ago." Caleniel stepped forward. "What happened to the Legolas I grew up with? What happened to the Legolas my father was ordered to pass his skills to?" Her voice grew lower and stronger. "What happened to the Legolas who asked what if every king, Man, Elf, and Dwarf, were friends with one another?"

"That was never going to happen. It never could. That was nothing more than a dream."

"Dreams can be visions."

Legolas slowly faced Caleniel with furrowed brows. "I grew to the ways of the world. I lost sight of the dream because that's all it was and ever will be. You are wiser than I. You should know that most of our dreams were just that."

Caleniel's shoulders fell, but her face did not. Her breath was slow as she slowly shook her head. "Then you can count me was one of these Dwarves."

Legolas stepped forward. "Caleniel--"

"They are dreamers." She stepped back. "But at least, they will fight for something they hold onto. Most importantly, they taught me something that you forgot long ago."

"Caleniel."

Caleniel shouted back in Elvish. Her breath was heavy as she shouted everything she could. She sniffled and wiped a tear from her face, speaking softly in Elvish. Legolas looked down, his eyes shifting.

Caleniel spoke gravely in Elvish as she extend her arms like a defeated prisoner to Legolas. Legoals sighed slowly and hollowly. He pursed his lips and grabbed Caleniel's wrist. Legolas walked silently with her to my cell.

"You have left me no other choice." Legolas opened my cell and closed it as Caleniel walked in with a low head.

Caleniel looked at him through the bar. "As if there is a choice for someone ordered by your father..."

Legolas paused. His eyes shifted as Caleniel stared at him. He turned to leave, but gave one last look at Caleniel. I froze, thinking he would open it for her, but he turned again, leaving without a word.

I tried to take it all in before I approached her. Once Legolas was gone, I tried thinking of how to approach her. However, Kili had a different plan.

"So you're a traitor to your peope now," Kili said from the other cell.

I frowned as Caleniel said yes. I took a slow step towards her. "I'm..."

Caleniel turned her head up to me, and I froze. I could see that she was breaking. She had torn herself from someone she had for years.

I stepped back. "I'm sorry..."

Caleniel forced a smile. "It is not your fault he changed, but thank you. For the past few decades."

"Oh." I nodded. "Wait. Decades?" 

Caleniel let out a small laugh. "Elves live forever according to your kin." She sighed and sat next to the door of the cell, looking out. "We just might not always stay the same as we live."

I nodded slowly. "But why does Legolas like that red-haired Elf?"

"That is something I've questioned for quite some time... Legolas wasn't always the brightest gem in a box of jewels."

I raised a brow and stepped towards her. "You like him, don't you?"

Her shoulders fell slightly as she looked away. "Maybe a bit more than that. I am not quite sure."

"Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean--"

"It's fine." Caleniel smiled. "I was just hoping I could talk to the king."

"Is that what you were arguing with Legolas about," Kili asked.

"Yes." Caleniel sighed. "He's the prince and... Legolas would have been the one to tell my king that I am in this company. Without him, Thranduil would never know I've returned."

I stared at her for a moment. "Why did you not want to return?"

Caleniel seemed to smile in defeat. "Tauriel practically changed Legolas. Because she follows Thranduil's orders so perfectly, Legolas thought he should be the same: the perfect soilder." She took a deep breath. "But I feel something is going to change, either in him or our kingdom, I'm not sure."

"Is that why you took refuge in our company," Kili asked from his cell. "To find an excuse to come here and leave with reason?"

"I have many reasons for joining this company," Caleniel said quietly. "Gandalf simply convinced me."

"So you are here to help me home," I asked.

Caleniel nodded. "Of course. However, I was also here to allow promised passage through this kingdom. Also to help us pass through Lake Town."

"Why Lake Town," I asked. "You are from here."

Caleniel placed a finger over her mouth. I paused, furrowing my brows, but an Elf past pushing Thorin to a cell. I stood silent, and there was a loud sound of the prison gate closing. The Elf walked past us, leaving.

"Did he offer you a deal?" Balin stepped out, pressing his face against the prison door. 

"Indeed," Thorin replied. "I told him he could ish kakhfe ai-'d dur-rugnu. Him and all his kin!"

I let out a small laugh.

"Well that settles everything." Balin smiled. "The deal was our only way out. Even the Elf girl was no help."

Caleniel looked at the ground.

"Not our only way out," Thorin stepped close to his prison bars.

I pursed my lips and turned to Caleniel. "You think you could help us out by reasoning with some Elf guy that passes by?"

"What?" Caleniel blinked.

"You know, show them a little shake or something." I smiled.

"A little shake?"

I laughed. "Never mind."

Caleniel looked back at the ground. I stared at her for a moment as she stared at her hands.

I sighed and slumped down against a wall. "You know this place better than anyone here."

"But the lock knows a key more than me." Caleniel looked out the prison door. "We will not get out without Thranduil's consent."

"How can you be so pessismistic?"

"Not pessismistic. Realistic." Caleniel looked at me. "There are very slim chances we can escape."

I nodded and looked out of our cell. I thought more about the words Caleniel said about me in English. "Why do you want to help me?"

Caleniel stayed silent for a moment. "You have lost everyone. A whole entire life in fact."

My brows furrowed. "What?"

"You're not home. You have lost your home and everyone there since you were brought here." Caleniel looked me over. "I'd like to help you return what was lost."

I nodded, blinking away tears. "There is a way for me to go home right?" 

"Of course, but I know you want to see this journey through. There is always a way, just as there is always hope."

"You don't know for sure though."

"... No. I'm sorry."

I took a deep breath. "I had a feeling."

Caleniel smiled while shaking her head. "If only you didn't meet this Dwarves. It would have been so much easier. We'd be half way there now."

I looked away with a faint smile. "I do want to help the Dwarves reclaim Erebor."

"There's a chance you might not survive."

I nodded. "I can live with that. How did you even know that you had to help me home?"

"I spotted you wearing the necklace in Rivendell."

My eyes widened. "That's how you knew. The time you saw me at the waterfall."

Caleniel nodded. "That's also how Gandalf came to know of my use to you all."

"Why isn't my necklace glowing now?"

"I don't have my sword."

I laughed lightly. "Right." I tried not to think about the only chance of going home being a long shot, so I changed the subject. "So this king... what's he like?"

"He may leave us here to rot."

"What?"

"The offer he made to Thorin, he will not let us out until Thorin takes it."

I sighed. "So we might never leave... I might not ever see my family again."

"Perhaps not."

"Well, thanks."

"Would you prefer a lie?"

I stayed silent a moment. "I guess not."

"Caleniel." Two Elves opened our prison door. "The king would like an audience with you."

"Sweet." I grinned.

Caleniel paused as she stood.

                                       ________________

(Caleniel's POV)

I took a deep breath as I stepped into king Thranduil's quarters.

"Don't be shy Caleniel. Come closer," Thranduil said with a sweet tone. "We have known each other for quite some time."

I swallowed as I walked faster and faced him. I bowed. "You summoned me, my lord?"

Thranduil smiled. "Legolas has spoken to me about you. I wouldn't have known you were among the captive if not for him."

I lowered my chin. "And what foul things has he said?"

"Caleniel," He turned towards me. "Why would he say anything foul about you? You two have been friends for long, lonely years." He grinned coyly. "On the contrary, he has said rather brilliant things about you."

I dared not to make an expression. "Has he now? What brilliant claims has he made?"

Thranduil turned away. "How much time have you shared with the Dwarves?"

My brows furrowed. That is why he wants me here. "Not enough time to convince Oakenshield to accept the offer you have given him." 

Thranduil let out a small laugh. "Such a smart girl. You really were being useful leaving our home years ago." He instantly pressed me against the wall with his sword at my neck. "You somehow know what I desire to know." 

I stared into his cold blue eyes. "I suppose... I have not spent much time with the Dwarves, and Oakenshield does not trust me." 

Thranduil smiled. "And I suppose Legolas is still not within your grasp is he? I can change all that," he whispered in my ear. 

I paused. "What?" 

"He is blind, you see, but I, a knowing and respecting king, can help him see what he needs to see."

"You mean whatever you need him to see in exchange for whatever you believe I can reveal about Oakenshield."

Thranduil took a step back and began walking to the other side of the room. "Your father always said you were clever. He simply rued the day you'd fall for Legolas. For anyone really."

I looked away and took a step closer to the pillar. "That is for anyone. A heart is a burden, especially with a loss for someone we love." 

Instantly, I moved behind the pillar as Thranduil tried to strike with his sword.

"I could have you beheaded," Thranduil said ominously. 

"Everyone will question why, including the heir to the throne." I smiled.

Thranduil let out a small laugh. "I could easily declare you a traitor."

"--as easily as Legolas could tell everyone all what I've told him." I stared Thranduil in the eye. "Kill me, and he will change his heart away from your orders."

Thranduil frowned as he stepped back and hid his sword. "You really do plan for everything."

"One could say."

Thranduil smiled. "I can imagine yourself as princess, maybe even queen. You'd fit so well in that role. The things I could do with the knowledge and skill your parents passed to you."

"Hold that flattery for someone Legolas will pledge himself to."

"I can manipulate him to my needs."

"If his heart does not stand in the way. He will follow Tauriel, and you cannot stop him." I laughed quietly. "She leads his heart, therefore, she leads his mind."

Thranduil paused. "I can control Legolas, but I am not as ruthless as many think. After all, he is my son. However, I am king. That means I control my kingdom and everything in it." He leaned toward me.

"You know how much Legolas meant to her."

Thranduil paused and stared at me for a long moment. He took a deep breath and leaned his face toward my ear. "Would you like to watch how I rule my kingdom," he whispered. He turned away, facing the stairs. "I know you're there. Why do you linger in the shadows?"

Tauriel stepped forward, walking down the stairs toward us. "I was coming to report to you." She bowed and gave me a sort of glare. "Are you safe with the traitor here?"

"That is my concern, not yours." Thranduil turned away from Tauriel. "I thought I ordered that nest to be destroyed not two moons past."

"We cleared the forest as ordered, my lord." Tauriel turned away and began pacing in a small space. "More spiders keep coming up from the south. If we can just go to Dol Guldor, we can kill them at the source." She raised a finger at Thranduil.

"Their fortress lies beyond our borders. Keep our lands clear, dozens or thousands, that is your task." Thranuil's voice was raised slightly.

"We continue to drive them off? What then? Will they not spread to other lands?" Tauriel stopped and locked her gaze with Thranduil.

"Other lands are not my concern. The fortunes of the world will rise and fall, but here in this kingdom, we will endure." Thranduil looked away suddenly as if something caught his attention.

My brows crashed together. Tauriel pursed her lips and walked away.

Thranduil turned to her. "Legolas said you fought well today."

I froze as Tauriel did. She slowly turned to us.

Thranduil looked from me to Tauriel. "He has grown very fond of you."

Tauriel looked away with her mouth agape. "I assure you, my lord, he sees me as his captain and nothing else."

"I'm sure he did once." Thranduil walked past Tauriel. "Now, I am not so sure."

Tauriel moved her glance away from me. "I did not think you would allow your son to pledge himself to a lowly Silvan Elf."

"No, you are right." Thranduil poured himself a drink. "I would not. Still, he cares about you. Do not give him hope where there is none."

Tauriel raised her head, looking at me. "I will not my lord. I pray you spread that message to those that care for him as well."

"Who?" Thranduil turned to Tauriel. "Who should I tell this to?"

Tauriel looked at me, and Thranduil smiled, walking towards me with a cup of wine.

"Unlike you, Tauriel, Caleniel is a female I favor above all. She does have some Sindar blood in her vains because of her father. However, it is her political standing that I favor most about her." Thranduil handed me the extra cup and walked around me, circling me. "You see, she thinks much as I do, finding benefits for my kingdom. If she'd have the throne, she would make a great queen beside Legolas."

I tried not to look away from the cup. A change of expression could give away that I actually wanted to befriend the Dwarves and Bre now. I was simply a political tool from the start. This was never a matter of what Elven blood one carried. It was a matter of what political standing one carried.

Thranduil smiled. "It is an Elf like her who deserves to blossom a life-long love that she has hidden from Legolas. She knows far more about the world than any Elven princess knows. She would make a great queen you could serve one day."

Tauriel nodded. "Perhaps I shall." She smiled and walked out of the room.

Thranduil swung in front of me. "All we need is Legolas to know of your affection." We clinked our cups together.

"I do not believe that is how Legolas will see it through." Even with his changed ways.

Thranduil smiled. "Are you as blind as he?"

My brows furrowed. "What is it you mean to say?"

"It is not Tauriel he truly cares for. It just seems that way." Thranduil sipped his drink. "He truly was broekn hearted when you left, Caleniel."

"Then why warn Tauriel of Legolas being fond of her?"

Thranduil locked his gaze with mine. "I do not want Legolas to stray. He has longed for you the past years you've been gone. He longed for you the first time you left for a decade on your quest to gather materials for the blade you carried." He walked away a few steps. "He longed for you when you left to Rivendell when you believed something was wrong in the world. He is TRYING to replace you with Tauriel because you said you did not know if you were coming back."

I paused. "I don't understand."

"He is afriad you will leave again. However, I do not wish for him to grieve over your absence. You are right. Meeting and favoring Tauriel has changed him." Thranduil walked towards me. He leaned over me and began to whisper. "I want you to make him beg for you. I want you to have the power to control him as if you have ripped his heart out and can command him by whispering to it. I want you to make him be willing to die for you." 

I stepped back, but Thranduil pulled me in, whispering in my ear.

"I want you to make him see as you and I do. We are not far from it either. For you see, Tauriel is someone who cares for... 'other lands'. We both know there is no longer a benefit from those lands, except the mountain."

"Legolas cares for Tauriel," I said quietly.

"But I know he cares for you much more. He wasn't even going to tell me you were amoung the Dwarves in order to protect you from me."

My entire being froze.

"But I know all that happens in my kingdom. I want to order him without him thinking twice. I want to control him by using you." Thranduil stepped back. "He listens to you, Caleniel." He stayed silent for a moment. "Believe me when I say that he was in here earlier telling me about his conflicted heart. He has missed you, and you have missed him deeply. By replacing you, he believed he was healing his heart."

I took a deep breath and turned to Legolas in the doorway. "Is that true?"

Legolas turned his gaze from me to his father. "I thought that was a private conversation."

"As I thought was this," Thranduil said softly.

I looked at Legolas softly. "Legolas, I--"

"What," Legolas asked distastefully. "You're going to stay now that you know you finally had my heart? Now that you know you can be a princess?" He glared at me. "Or are you going to toy with my emotions more?"

"What?" My brows furrowed.

"I'm not going to beg for you stay. Not again." He walked away.

I looked down, sighing deeply.

Thranduil rested a hand on my shoulder. "You know he didn't mean that."

"Why should I swallow your lies?" I turned to Thranduil. "I know you only want to aquire the weakness of Thorin Oakenshield. You only want to know how to make him bend in your favor of his quest for the mountain."

Thranduil stared at me with no expression. He closed the space between us. "Your one of the few who knows how to run a kingdom."

"Finding benefits--"

"From friends, yes." Thranduil smiled. "Legolas would try to be too just and would ruin the kingdom."

"Not as horribly as you believe."

"You're right. Not as I believe, but as I know. Politically, you would make a great leader of this kingdom. That is why I favor Legolas to pleadge himself to you." Thranduil paused. "And I would hear less of him speaking of you," he said quietly. He turned to me. "I favor your side, but know that--"

"I cannot be just any Elf maid?" I stared at him.

Thranduil stared back at me. "And that you are not. Your battle skills are as impressive as your fear of spiders ridiculous. You've ventured with the Dwarves this far, and they think you a traitor of this kingdom."

I stepped back. "You want me to use that to your advantage."

Thranduil lowered his chin. "I am your king."

I nodded. "Yes, my lord." I kneeled. "However, I ask if I can take care of a few things."

"You do not plan to free the dwarves, do you?"

"I believe they must be on their way to the mountain if you wish to recieve your jewels." I stared up at him. "Or are they not what you truly seek?"

Thranduil smiled. "What is it you seek to do?"

"I have plans to make them believe they have escaped of their own way. However, I will reveal those plans once I..."

"Speak to Legolas?"

I closed my eyes and lowered my head. "Just once more. I do not know if I plan to stay the next time I return. Let me speak with him briefly, and I shall be on my way to recover your jewels."

Thranduil walked to the door way, smiling. He gestured for me to walk out. "No rush. The Dwarves are not leaving at any given moment."

"Thank you, my lord." I stood up, bowed, and walked out. Once I was out of his sight, I walked quickly to find Legolas. I walked down a hall, reaching the stairs. I paused, realizing I was going near the cells. Hands covered my mouth as I was pulled back.

"It's me," Legolas said softly.

I relaxed, and he released me. I turned to him. "I'd like to say--" 

"Caleniel." Legolas stopped me. He took a deep breath. "I will not be as ruthless as my father, but I will also not be someone you can walk over. I am dealing with difficult matters of the heart. Yes, it is true I care for you so deeply, but I care for Tauriel. You leave and go, and she stays. Every time I believe I can resolve my feelings for you, you arrive and I fall apart all over again."

I nodded. "And you fall to her in your times of despair."

Legolas locked his gaze with me. "I had to. I could not wait and mope to my father every time I missed you. I had to move on and away from you."

"Legolas, I--"

"Don't. I don't know why my father has grown so cruel to use you against me."

"He hasn't. You know that. You also know he cares for you above all else. That's why he does not allow you to leave though you are capable."

Legolas stared at me for a moment. "So you haven't abused my feelings for you."

"I did not know of their existance."

"And now that you do... will you stay?"

I lowered my eyes. "Do they still exist?" I looked up at Legolas.

Legolas lowered his eyes. "I did feel strongly for you once. I was going to follow you, but I met Tauriel. And now I feel strongly for her."

I nodded, pursing my lips. "I won't ask you to choose. I have much to do anyway. I simply wanted to say that I was sorry."

"I had already forgiven you." Legolas smiled. "You're my friend. Why would I not?"

I smiled. "Thank you." I turned away.

"Caleniel."

I paused.

"If I never met Tauriel, I would have followed you without hesitation."

"I am not asking you to choose."

"I know. I just wanted you to know I was waiting for you to choose me."

I heard him walk away, and I closed my eyes tightly.

I already have.