Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The ride down the river was wild. Each of the barrels tossed every direction possible. Spinning around, making it nearly impossible for the rider inside to know up from down, left or right. Each dwarf inside being tossed around on the inside, just waiting for the rapids to calm. It was a ride that just felt like it was never going to end, continuing on and on for who knows how long. Until finally, the river started to slow.

Bilbo was the first to kick the lid off his barrel, the bright sun above beaming down from above as he looks around at his surroundings. His barrel slowly floating down the river, with thirteen other barrels around him. Bilbo takes in a deep breath of fresh air as his hair drips cold water onto his nose. Wrinkling his nose, he pulls himself over the barrels edge, slinking himself out. Immediately falling into the cold water below with a splash.

One by one, the dwarves start kicking the tops off of the barrels, each doing the exact same thing. None of them caring about dropping into the chilly water below as they were already completely soaked to the bone from the ride.

The first thing Dori does when he comes up from the water was look for his little bother Ori, his protective nature telling him to keep close. He treads in the water, looking around frantically until he finally sees Ori, who had just managed to kick the lid off of his barrel. "Hang on" he calls out as he swims over to Ori's barrel to help him.

Gloin emerges from the cold water below with a loud gasp of air, swimming towards the shoreline with Nori and Bifur in tow behind him. Dwalin stands in the water, the only dwarf who could actually touch the bottom of the river without his mouth and nose being submerged as he starts to slowly make his way out of the water, collapsing onto his knees with a joyful laugh as he approached the solid ground.

It wasn't long before the dwarves were out of the cold water.

Kili coughing up water he had accidentally inhaled during the ride, while Fili lays on his back trying to catch his breath. Bofur sits on a nearby rock, removing the hat from his head as he dumps the water out, while Ori does the same with his boot.

Thorin wipes the water from his face as he stands a few feet away, watching each and every dwarf get settled. He takes in a deep breath, filling his lungs to capacity before slowly letting the air out.

"Five minuets" he states firmly, wanting to move before the elves caught on of their disappearance. Which there was no doubt in his mind that they noticed by now, and the rivers would be the first place they looked as the dwarves weren't very discrete when it came to a barrel escape.

Balin, who was wringing out his tunic looks up to Thorin with a nod.

Beside Thorin stands Bilbo, whose hair still continued to drip. A large smile on his face as he almost couldn't believe that plan had worked. Thorin looks down to the hobbit beside him, a smirk on his face. He couldn't believe there was a time where he thought Bilbo would be nothing but a nuisance. That there was a time where he doubted Gandalf's decision to bring the hobbit along. If it wasn't for Bilbo, he and his company would still be stuck in those dungeons. "Thank you" Thorin says politely, placing a hand on Bilbo's shoulder, giving a firm squeeze.

"Oh no need for that" Bilbo replies as he brushes another drop of water from his nose with his sleeve. "There was no way I could leave you all locked up in that place. It was inhumane. Besides, you dwarves didn't do anything wrong! Thranduil was in the wrong!"

"Never trust an elf" Gloin scowls as he approaches, wringing out the bottom half of his own tunic, catching the bit about Thranduil being wrong. "Advice passed down to me by my father, who received it from his father!"

"What about the Elves in Rivendell?" Bilbo questions as Gloin speaks. "They seemed pretty trustworthy."

Gloin looks away when Bilbo questions his statement. Sure, they were nice but he still didn't trust them.

"Alright let-"

As Thorin speaks, he is interrupted by a slow canter of several horses. The echoes of the hooves ever so louder until, seven fully grown horses sudden appear before the group of dwarves, creating a semi circle around them, trapping the group in the middle between them and the river behind them. Three horsemen on each side and one very large horse directly in the middle.

The horse standing directly in front of Thorin and Bilbo pitch was black with silky fur. It's leather reigns wrapping around its chest, leading to the large human sitting atop it's light brown saddle. The man wore an off-white linen shirt with brown leather gauntlets on his wrists. He had a quiver on his back, with a bow hooked around his chest. His pants were just a simple brown linen, and his boots were black with gold toes. His long black hair curled, and his eyes a sharp blue, matching the eyes of his horse.

The horsemen on each side of the dwarves each take out their bows, loading them with arrows and taking aim. The dwarves all standing there silently, knowing that they had nothing to fight back with as all their weapons and gear had been stripped from them back in mirkwood. The only items the dwarves having on them was their tunics, trousers, boots and the small pouches of gold the elves didn't take away. One by one, the dwarves start raising their hands. Not necessarily surrendering to the unfamiliar riders but wanting to show them that they were unarmed and of no threat.

"Strange to see Dwarves in these parts. And a halfling." The rider of the black horse finally says, his voice deep and oddly sinister in it's tone.

"We are just travelers" Thorin replies calmly, not raising his arms like the rest of the dwarves. "Looking for passage to laketown"

The stranger dismounts his horse. Each step of his boot seemingly louder than the last as he approaches Thorin. The tall man looks down on the dwarf, tilting his head a little. Thorin looks up, standing his ground and refusing to be intimidated as he tried to read this strangers intentions.

"Travelers?" The man repeats back to the dwarf, noting the lack of supplies. The lack of clothing and weapons. "What business do dwarves have in laketown?"

"Our business is our own" Thorin replies, not wanting to say anything.

"Right" The man says as he looks up to the other dwarves. The man then begins to walk away from Thorin, taking large slow steps as he observes each and every dwarf. Some of the dwarves, like Fili, Kili and Bofur catching his attention.

"What are you looking at?" Dwalin hisses through his teeth as the man passes by him without a word, staring the larger dwarf down.

"Nothing important" the man replies calmly as he stops in front of Dwalin. A smirk on his face as he makes some mental notes about the dwarf himself.

Dwalin had half a mind to punch the stragner as he stared him down, but Balin, stepped in, grabbing his brothers arm. "Dwalin..." he says in a low but stern voice, not wanting to cause any trouble. Especially since they were were the ones with weapons being pointed at them.

"Hmmm" the stranger mumbles as he stops in front of Bofur.

"Hi. Names Bofur" he says trying to just break the awkward stare from the man, holding out his hand.

The man stares at Bofur's hand with a look of disgust. Almost as if he viewed the dwarf as something below him. And the peasant looking clothing didn't exactly help if it was a matter of societal standards.

"Or not..." Bofur continues as he slowly lowers his hand with an offended and confused pout on his face as the man moves to the other side. The man pauses a moment in front of Bombur, furrowing his brows as though he were judging the 'widest' of the dwarves.

Ori steps behind Dori as the man passes him. He smirks, as he notes the bit of fear emanating from the smaller dwarf. Obviously he was the youngest of the group. Beside them, Bifur, growling at him in Khuzdul as the mans eyes focus directly on the axe that was planted in the dwarfs skull. The man almost fascinated that the dwarf was alive with such an injury.

Finally he stops in front of Fili and Kili. His lips poising into a sinister looking smile.

"It's a strange lot you have here" he says out loud as he eyes the dwarf princes, before turning his attention back to Thorin.

Thorin bites his tongue as the man openly insults his company. Sure, they weren't the best of the best but they were his company. The only group of dwarves who believed in his caused and agreed to follow him to reclaim their home.

"I don't believe I got your name" Thorin states in a harsh tone.

"And I never got yours"

Thorin takes in a breath as he stands his ground. Technically the only one to even give a name was Bofur and the man had completely treated him as if he were nothing. A part of him felt he needed to start being cautious with his name being thrown around but if this man was someone who believed in the class system, then maybe he would have more luck with letting him know who he was.

"Thorin Oakenshield" Thorin replies firmly. "Son of Thrain son of Thror, king under the mountain"

The man nearly chokes when Thorin states who he was. His grin getting wider as he eyes the Thorin, approaching him once again. He begins slowly circling around the king, his eyes scanning him up and down. He wasn't dressed as a king. His tunic and trousers absolutely filthy, clearly only been washed from the river he had emerged from. His hair tangled and unkept. He had heard the name Thorin, having received word of a bounty that had been placed on the dwarfs head, but going by appearance, this man before him was no king. He barely looked the part of a peasant. But in the off chance this Dwarf was telling the truth, it was an opportunity he himself couldn't risk passing up.

Of course, the bounty was just on the head of a single dwarf. A normal bandit would probably order his group to slaughter the halfling and the other dwarves right then and there on the spot, and take Oakenshielf for himself but this man, he was no ordinary bandit.

"Well, Thorin, Oakenshield, you may call me Albold" He replies as he stops circling the dwarf, looking back down on him. "And these men, they're the best hunters these parts have to offer."

"And umm...what do you hunt?" Bilbo questions, standing beside Thorin, kind of scared to ask.

"Oh, usually Goblins, Orc, other creatures that are not human....Not to kill of course!" Albold says with a laugh in his voice. "See, I'm a business man. I work in a special industry where I find creatures who fit certain criteria others could make use of."

Thorin's teeth grit together as the man speaks, the realization as to what this man was finally hitting him. This man kidnapped innocent creatures, if you could call an orc or goblin innocent, and sold them off to people for profit. He had heard of such things but usually, the Goblins and Orcs were sold to be killed, almost like an unfair hunt where the buyer can have the thrill of a kill with the safety of their own terrain. Of course it wasn't all hunt. He had heard stories of some being forced to work, some stripped of all their killing instincts and forced to serve humans and others used for ungodly things that Thorin rather not think about. As these thoughts fill his head, his hand discretely reaching to Bilbo beside him to get his attention. Bilbo's eyes shift to Thorin as he fees the Dwarf king nudging him.

'Get out of here' he mouths, knowing that if anyone had a chance to get away, it was Bilbo with the help of his ring.

"See, we never get Dwarves in this parts, or hobbits" The man says with a bit of cheer in his voice. "and I just know there is a market for both" The man pauses a moment, looking towards Fili and Kili, the glance really making the two uncomfortable. "While the large sum of you creatures are.....unique.....there are a few in the mix that I would consider high value"

As he speaks, each of the men on their horses begin to dismount, four of them still holding their bows out, aimed at the dwarves, while two of them move to the back of horses where a they had bundles of rope hanging from the saddle.

"Bilbo, run!" Thorin suddenly exclaims, shoving the hobbit.

As soon as Bilbo is shoved, he takes off running. Sprinting past the horses towards the trees, slipping the ring on his fingers, allowing him to disappear without leaving the dwarves. He stops behind one of the trees, keeping a small distance as he watches the men move in on the dwarves. Ori roughly being snatched from behind Dori, while Bifur snaps his teeth at the man who tried to get close to him. Each dwarf being subdued one by one as the men bound the hands of their prey behind their backs.

Nori tries to make a run for it, only to have an arrow shot at him. The arrow not aimed at him, but close enough to startle the dwarf as it flies past his face. Nori stops, eyes widened as the arrow pierces a tree directly in front of him. The archer who had just fired charging towards the dwarf, tackling Nori to the ground.

Albold takes a hold of Thorin's shoulder, pulling the dwarf in close to him as he removers a small dagger from his belt, placing it against the Dwarf Kings neck. Thorin not even trying to fight back as he was still worn from his time in the elven prisons and the unplanned ride in the barrel down stream that had him and the other dwarves being tossed around like a salad. One of the men turns his attention to Bilbo, but stops when Albold yells to him.

"Forget the hobbit!" he exclaims in a commanding voice. "We can collect him later, he won't get far."

Chapter Text

Bilbo keeps the ring on as he follows the dwarves and their captors through the woods.

The dwarves walk in two lines, side by side. The first line lead by Thorin, with Gloin, Ori, Kili, Bombur, Nori and Dwalin behind him. The second line with Fili in the front, followed by Dori, Bifur, Balin, Oin, Bofur, and Dori in the back. Each of them with their wrists bound behind their backs with another rope that wrapped around their waists, linking each dwarf in their lines to the dwarf in front of them. The ropes both tethered to the back of Albold's horses (Shadowstorm), saddle.

As Albold lead the walk through the forest, two of his men ride on their horses on the left side of the Dwarves, while two others were on the right. Finally in the back, the final two. The dwarves completely surrounded by Albold and his team, ensuring the dwarves didn't try anything.

Bilbo quietly walks behind the two horses in the back, thankful that they were moving at a pace that was easy to keep up with. Refusing to let the dwarves out of his sight.

Albold leads the dwarves from the forest out into the opening of a small town. The streets lined with stones and the buildings built of wood. A Town that was not elven or dwarf in nature, but human. The easiest way to describe it's appearance is to compare it an old western town. It was the town of 'Faron', a town known best for it's hunters and local markets which tends to draw the attention of travelers of all kind from afar.

As they enter the streets, Thorin looks around at his surroundings. Tall beings walk around the streets. Some stopping to stare at the dwarves.

Kili notices a young woman standing outside of her home, a small barrel on her steps as she was washing some clothes. She stares back at the dwarf as they pass.

"H-help us!" Kili instantly calls out to the woman.

"H-Help!" Ori cries out to another onlooker, copying Kili in the hopes that someone will listen

Suddenly, each of the dwarves begin shifting around in their bindings. Each trying to draw as much attention to them as possible, believing that someone had to do something.

"We need help! Don't just stand there!!" Dwalin angerly yells at a young couple, the woman standing there, pointing at the dwarves as she whispers something to her husband.

Dwalin steps out of the line as he calls out to the couple, the rope jolting Nori back towards him, causing a chain reaction of each dwarf being pulled into a sudden halt backwards.

Albold rolls his eyes as he listens to the dwarves trying to get someone to help them.

"You're wasting your breath" Albold says with a smirk. This was his town after all. The people here fully supportive of his work, knowing that he brought quality products to them.

"Afternoon Cora" Albold says with a slight nod of the head as the group passes a mother who was out for a stroll with her daughter.

"Dwarves?" Cora replies as she stops to look at the dwarves being paraded through the town. "Don't see that everyday" she replies with a light smile.

Albold leads the dwarves to a small building on the corner of one of the streets. As he dismounts his horse, a man approaches, taking the reigns from the rider. Albold walks around to the back of his horse, untying the rope from the saddle, taking it into his hand. He gives Shadowstorm a quick pat on the flank as the man leads her away to the stables. Each of the other riders begin dismounting their horses, four of them collecting the reigns of their groups horses while the other two make their way to the buildings door. They both take a hold of the double door, pulling it open as Albold approaches.

"Thanks" he says as he starts to pass through the doors, leading the dwarves inside the building.

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The building itself consisted of two floors. Its main floor, the room they were currently in, which was pretty empty. It's floors and walls made of wood with a couple tables and chairs placed around the room. There was eight cots set up near the back corner of the room and on the left a fireplace with a small stove.

Just off to the right center of the room was stairs that lead downward, this was where Albold was leading the dwarves.

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The moment Bilbo entered into the town, he immediately felt uncomfortable. Everything about this place felt wrong. He walks past a small market where a large man was selling 'exotic meats', mostly orcs and trolls but one sign said 'elf' and the people who were looking at the stall weren't the kind Bilbo would want to associate himself with. Not all the stands in the market were bad though. One was run by a young girl, selling handmade dresses she and he mother had made, while another stall had the usual farm grown vegetables.

He watches as the dwarves are lead inside the strange house on the corner. He unfortunately doesn't make it inside before the doors were closed, and not wanting to draw any attention, even if he was invisible, Bilbo decides to make way for the nearest window to peer inside. He reaches up to the window, just barely able to grasp the ledge as he pulls himself up to take a look inside. From what he could tell on that level it looked normal. He watches as the dwarves are lead downstairs, the men who were initially at the door following the dwarves down from behind.

Seeing the group leave the main floor, Bilbo takes the opportunity to break in, making his way back towards the front and quietly opening one of the front doors to enter. As he steps in, he slowly pulls the door closed behind him. Immediately he dashes towards the stairs to the basement, taking light steps as he quietly makes his way down.

Chapter Text

The basement level of the house was a lot more gloomy in comparison to the floor above.

It's walls and floors were stone, almost like an unfinished basement. At the end of the room closest to the stairs was a large desk with several papers, a feather pen with ink, and an oil lamp. One one side of the desk, a large wooden chair. On the other side a couple chairs.

On the wall adjacent to the desk are three large round hooks. It was the type of thing you would see mostly in stables or rest stops so riders could secure their horses. Hanging on the wall underneath the hooks were several spools of rope. The rest of the room, was lined with bars which made up twenty small cells. Ten cells on each side that lined the walls, while there was an open walkway down the center. Like a prison, or even a kennel.

Inside thirteen of those cells were the dwarves. Each in their own personal cage, but able to easily see each other as the bars were evenly spaced.

Bilbo, hides behind the desk as he patiently awaits an opportunity to try and make a move. His eyes peering towards the nearest cell to the desk. In that cell was Thorin, who was sitting on the floor crossed legged with his eyes closed as he tries to just keep himself calm. His arms still bound behind his back, like all the others. Albold walks down the middle with a paper in his hand as he makes little notes on it. His eyes looking over each and every dwarf as he had before outside. The two men walking behind him, awaiting orders.

Suddenly, loud footsteps echo down the stairs. A larger woman in a silk blue and red dress appears at the bottom. Her hair done up in French braids with flowers woven into the hair. Her facial features warm, and if it wasn't for the words that came out of her mouth next, it would have been easy to assume she was someone of good intention.

"I need one!" The woman exclaims as she immediately walks down the center of the room, between the cells. Her focus on Albold.

Albold was almost at the end of the cells as he hears the woman talking to him. He smiles as he turns around. It was the woman from before that he had said hello to when they had entered the town.

"Cora, I must apologize but they're not quite ready" He replies politely to her. "I haven't gotten them processed and evaluated yet" He says.

"Oh come on" She says in a pleading voice. "I need that one, it caught my attention the moment you returned to town!" she says pointing a finger to Fili, who was in the second to last cell towards the back half of the end. "Well, actually it's not me who needs it..." she adds with a light smile, taking a hold of Albolds hand, her finger gently tracing the top of his hand as she tries to sway him to just sell her the dwarf. "Jessies been begging me for a new pet, and that dwarf there is perfect! You wouldn't want to upset little Jessie"

Fili's eyes widen as she points to him. His heart racing against his chest as he takes a step back, stopping against the wall. There was no way this was real. It couldn't be.

Albold looks to the Fili in his cell. As he had thought, this one was going to be sought after as his features were less 'hideous' in comparison to some of the other dwarves in this room. But considering they had only just arrived, he hadn't had time to fully examine the dwarves. Go over their unique features, find out their flaws, figure out which would be perfect for which clients. He had yet to determine the value of each dwarf, as each dwarf would range in price. Ones like Fili and Kili being on the higher end of the scale.

"Leave him alone!" Dwalin scowls from the cell across from Fili, his eyes narrowed into a threatening glare at the woman begging to 'buy' the dwarf prince.

The woman glances to Dwalin with a look of disgust on her face as he 'barks' empty threats at her and Albold.

"We're not animals!" Dori exclaims from three cells down from Fili, joining in to try and defend the prince who was clearly still trying to process what was happening.

Bifur begins yelling insults at them in Khuzdul as he starts kicking and headbutting the bars of his cell, shaking them violently like a dog in a kennel.

The yelling from the dwarves not phasing Albold one bit as the woman looks around at them with shock. "I thought dwarves would be more civilized than the usual creatures you bring to this town" she states, stunned as they were all now yelling at them to let them go. That these people were sick. Yelling insults left right and center in an uproar.

The screaming and cries from his prey were noises all too familiar to Albold, so none of this actually phased him. Albold places a hand on the woman's shoulder to try and make her less nervous about the dwarves. "Like all wild animals, it just takes some training, you know that. Pets are a commitment" He says to the Cora as he pulls her closer to Fili's cell, the two of them looking in the cell at the dwarf prince.

Fili swallows nervously as he peels himself from the wall, his eyes locked to the woman's. "I'm not 'some' animal" He states firmly as he hears Albold speak as if he were some puppy dog. "My name is Fili. I am next in the line of Durin to rule under the mountain!"

"Cute" Albold replies, not caring what his lineage was. "If you really want this one, I can tell you now, he's not going to be cheap"

The woman reaches into the bust of her dress and removes a small leather pouch which jingles as it moves. She holds it out in front of Albold with a smile on her face. "Nothing is too expensive for my little girl"

Albold takes the pouch. As he opens it, a wide smile begins to form across his face. He looks to Cora, then to Fili. "I think we have a deal" he replies as he pockets the pouch. "Tomlin. Blane." he gestures to the two men that were keeping close to him, awaiting orders from their commander. "Get the dwarf ready while Cora and I work out the finer details" he states finally, leading Cora away from the cells towards the desk.

As Cora and Albold walk past, Tomlin and Blane approach Fili's cell. Fili goes completely silent as Tomlin inserts the key into the lock and opens the gate. Blane pushes himself past his partner as he enters. Fili's eyes widen as he tries to pull his hands free from behind him, knowing that if he could, he would punch the man and make a run for it. Blane reaches out, grabbing Fili by the shoulder as he rips the dwarf away from the wall.

"NO! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Fili cries out as he instinctively turns his head to the arm on the right of him, biting down as hard as he could on the mans wrist as it was his only line of defense.

Blane yells out as he pulls his arm away from Fili, taking a step back from the dwarf. Fili then charges at Tomlin as he decides he was not going down without a fight. If there was an opportunity for the dwarf prince to even attempt to make an escape, it was now.

As Fili attempts to headbutt Tomlin, Tomlin takes a small step to the side. As Fili passes him, he roughly grabs Fili by the back of his tunic. One hand grasping the shirt collar and the other bunching the fabric in the center of his back as he throws Fili forward.

Fili stumbles into the bars of the cell Kili was in. The brothers each locking eyes with terror on their face.

"Kili..." Fili lets out in a quiet breath as two sets of hands grab him.

"FILI"

Tomlin fully picks Fili up off the ground, throwing the dwarf prince over his shoulder.

"LET ME GO!" Fili cries out as he starts kicking his legs as his torso hangs over the mans back. "LET GO!"

"FILI" Kili cries out again, his voice cracking as he begins throwing his shoulder into the bars as he attempts to break them down. "NO! FILI!"

"KILI" Fili exclaims as loudly as he could. His brothers name echoing through the basement. As each step brings Fili further from his brother.

Tomlin walks down the center of the room, towards the desk where Cora and Albold were situated. Albold sitting in the seat beside Cora as he has her sign some papers, explaining how all this worked. The two of them ignoring the screaming dwarves behind him.

Tomlin stops right behind the desk, dropping Fili onto the floor. Fili lands on his side with a loud grunt before Tomlin straddles the dwarf, rolling him onto his stomach.

"Careful with it!" Albold snaps as Fili was dropped.

"Sorry sir" Tomlin replies as he holds Fili down on the ground.

"Get- off me!" Fili lets out with a wince, the dwarf prince refusing to hold still or make any of this easy for them. Fili shifts his shoulders to the right, then the left. Each jolt causing Tomlin to almost use all his weight to hold the dwarf still.

Blane rubs his arm, looking at where Fili had bit him. Teeth marks still indented in the skin where a small bruise was beginning to form. With a frustrated huff, he reaches for the rope hanging on the wall. Once in hand, he approaches Fili, crouching over by his legs. He unravels a the rope sliding some under the dwarf's ankles. As Fili kicks a leg up, Blane leans himself down, using his own weight to hold them both down. He then awkwardly pulls the rope around Fili's ankles, forcing them together as he tightens the loop. Once the ankles were secured together, Blane sits himself back up, continuing to wrap the rope around Fili's legs, stopping at his knees where he then began tying it tightly into a nice knot. This wasn't the normal procedure, but with how much the dwarf was struggling, they needed to secure him as tightly as they could.

Once Fili's legs were bound tightly, Tomlin removes himself from Fili, standing himself up and bringing the dwarf up with him to his own feet. Fili immediately trying to elbow the man as Blane repositions himself in front of Fili with a long cloth in hand. FIli turns his head away from the man as he attempts to tie it around his mouth to muzzle the dwarf.

"Hold him still!" Blane hisses with annoyance.

Tomlin smirks as he takes a fist full of Fili's hair in his hand, holding his head still. Fili struggles to move his head as the cloth is shoved into his mouth and finally tied around his head. He begins mumbling behind the cloth as Tomlin hoists the dwarf up and over his shoulder again. He lets out a muffled noise as he raises his upper body up sightly, bringing his head down into the mans shoulder, still trying to get out somehow.

"He's not going to bite...is he?" Cora questions as she watches them gag the dwarf.

"I can't guarantee that he won't" Albold replies in an honest voice. "Which brings me back to training. You need to ensure that it knows who is in charge. Don't be afraid to punish it if it does something wrong, or have your husband deal with it."

"Kmmm-li-mmmm" Fili calls out in a muffled yell as Tomlin begins carrying Fili up the stairs, his eyes locking in on his brother in the cell at the other end of the room as he's brought upstairs.

"BRING HIM BACK!" Kili exclaims in a demanding voice as he throws himself into the bars again. The steel shaking but refusing to budge. "RETURN MY BROTHER! RETURN HIM NOW! FILI!"

Kili's screams and cries for his brother echoing through the basement. His voice become more hoarse by the moment as his attempts to break the cell door come to a stop. His knees starting to buckle beneath him as he finally leans his head against the bars, slowly lowering himself to the ground. Tears just flowing down his cheeks as he can no longer hold them back. "BRING MY BROTHER BACK! PLEASE! DONT DO THIS...."

Kili's screams slowing turning into pleas as his brother disappears from the basement. Begging them to just stop this as he hits his head against the bars once. His begging completely being ignored by Albold and Cora.

Bilbo could feel his heart shattering as he found himself trapped under the desk, unable to get out or move as Albold and Cora had unknowingly blocked the hobbit there.

"If that creature gives you any problems, let me know" Albold says calmly with a smile. "I'll personally come and straighten it out if needed"

Cora nods as she stands up from the seat with an entitled smile on her face. "I'm sure everything will be fine" she says as she finally pulls back on the seat. She stands herself up and makes her way towards the stairs. Albold watches as she disappears, picking up the pouch of gold from the desk. He tosses it into the air once, catching it before opening the drawer and dropping the bag inside.

As Cora pulls out, Bilbo crawls out from underneath. He stands at the bottom of the stairs, waiting a few moments before going up after her just in case she suddenly decided to turn around or anything.

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"This way" Cora calls out as she reaches the top of the stairs, looking to Blane and Tomlin who were just sitting at one of the tables as they waited. Fili neatly bound with more rope wrapped around his torso for good measure, laying on the table. His forehead pressed into the table with his eyes closed as he took in slow breaths from his nose.

When the woman speaks, Tomlin and Blane both stand up. Tomlin immediately picking Fili up off the table and throwing him over his shoulder once again. Fili's eyes open quickly as he tries to kick his feet into Tomlins chest, mumbling in one final attempt to escape as he's carried out of the building.

Cora leads the men towards the stables where her horse was currently stowed with a small wagon attached behind it with a tarp laying in the middle. Cora approaches the wagon, grabbing the tarp, lifting it up as she pads the wood beneath it. "You can just toss him here" She says with a polite smile.

Tomlin smirks as he drops the dwarf into the back of the wagon. Fili winces behind the gag as he rolls himself to look at the woman with pleading eyes. The woman looking back down at him like he was nothing more than a pet as she drops the tarp down. An item she often used to keep goods safe inside the wagon, either from falling out or getting wet. As Fili is suddenly shrouded in dark he begins mumbling again, pulling at the bonds. His feet kicking the sides of the wagon in frustration.

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Bilbo followed the group as they made their ways to the stables. Several people were going in and out of the stables as they dropped off and collected their horses. Not one of them batting an eye at the bound dwarf being dropped into the back of a wagon like groceries. This whole town beginning to terrify Bilbo, making him relieved to have the ring in his possession as there was no way to tell how people would even react to a hobbit in these parts. He watches as Cora takes her horse by the reigns as she unties them from the post.

"Hope it doesn't give you too much trouble" Tomlin says as he offers a hand to help Cora onto her brown and white horse. Accepting the mans help, she places a foot into the stirrup, swinging her other leg over to the other, securing herself in the saddle.

"I hope so too" she replies with a little hint of concern in her voice after seeing how the dwarf was acting. But she was the one who insisted she take him then and there, and Albold did give her some warnings as the dwarf had not been trained yet but he also managed to give her some advice that she and her husband could use to ensure the dwarf listened to them. Plus he did offer to come put the dwarf in it's place if none of the suggestions helped.

Cora tugs on the reigns, and her horse begins moving, making its way out of the stables. "No, no, no!" Bilbo mutters as he goes into a faster stride to get to the wagon before she takes off. Just as he was getting close, Bilbo comes to a sudden stop. A large white horse just inches away from trampling the invisible hobbit as it's master rides it towards one of the empty spaces in the stable. As Bilbo moves around the horse, he watches Cora and her wagon completely exit the stables. "No. No!" He mumbles a bit louder as he goes into a sprint, moving as fast as his little hobbit body would as the horse begins to move into a canter.

Bilbo steps out into the streets, running as fast as he could as the wagon gets further and further away. Finally, Bilbo comes to a defeated stop as the horses canter picks up into a light gallop. Bilbo feeling sick to his stomach as he watches the horse and wagon grow smaller and smaller as they get further away. The dwarf prince quickly disappearing into the town before Bilbos eyes.

Chapter Text

The first night was the longest. None of the dwarves able to get any rest for the obvious reason of their worry for Fili, but also because Albold had decided to to start "processing" his new inventory.

Albold had spent most of the night examining each dwarf, thoroughly. Too thoroughly for any of their liking. He stayed up late studying their different personalities, finding out what set each of them off, making notes about each and every unique physical characteristic each dwarf had. Notes about how Ori was the youngest and soft spoken. How Bifur who could only speak Khuzdul and how easy it was to enrage Dwalin. He had even noted how easy it was to break Kili, and he didn't even need to try. While his work with the dwarves was not finished, eventually he left them alone, making his way up stairs to get some much needed sleep.

Kili had barely moved from his spot on the floor. His head against the cell door bars, his eyes fixated to the stairways where he had last saw his brother. Bombur was in the back left corner of his cell, beside his brother Bofur who had also positioned himself in the back corner of his cell. The two of them resting their heads against each other, partially through the thick metal bars. The usually happy and optimistic dwarf finding it a little hard to try and keep positive in this situation.

Bifur lays on his stomach in the middle of the cell, his chin resting on the cold hard floor as he stares at the cell across from him that imprisoned Oin, who was just laying on his side trying to at least get some sleep. Gloin sits with his back against the bars of his cel, allowing his hands to sit comfortably though the bars as he closes his eyes, hanging his head low. Ori had pulled himself to the back of his cell, laying on the floor with his knees pulled into his chest. He shivers from both the cool air in the basement and the fear growing inside him as he was sure this was where their journey would end. His bigger brother, Nori, leaning against the bars in his cell as he keeps a watchful yet worried on his baby brother as he thinks about how he was going to make these men pay for what they were doing.

Like Thorin, Balin and Dori both sit in the middle of their cell's with their legs crossed. The two older dwarves trying to keep themselves calm and composed, each of them knowing that panicking was going to get them nowhere.

As for Bilbo, by the time he had gotten back to the building where the dwarves were being kept, the doors had been locked. Even though he was the groups designated 'burglar', he knew nothing about lockpicking. So with no other choice, Bilbo had found a safe place in a nearby alleyway where he could close his eyes and rest until the building doors could be unlocked.

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Bilbo was laying in the alleyway when he heard a couple voices out front of the building. One familiar, belonging to Albold and the other a new voice. The voice sounding older with a slight rasp to it. Bilbo's brows furrow as he pulls himself up into a seated position.

"Goblins have been the main focus of my research. You've been supplying me with specimens for how many years now? And seeing that there has been an increase of Goblins, trolls, Orcs-"

"I'm aware of that, Rigby" Albold replies, cutting Rigby off "but this dwarf is rather intriguing. Under normal circumstances I would have considered the product damaged and just ignored it. I do believe it will be of great interest to you "

Bilbo peers around the corner to see Albold talking to an older man by the name of Rigby. His hair short, gray and unkept. His clothes plain, wrinkled, with riddled with stains of all sorts as he appeared to be someone who was more occupied with studies and experimentation rather than his own personal appearances. By trade he was an alchemist, supplying the townsfolk and travelers with elixirs made to heal but his true passion came in the form of his studies. Researching the many creatures of middle earth and how they could potentially better the life of men and others living in this world. His most recent studies being Goblins, as they were the easiest of subjects for him to obtain with the help of Albold and his hunters. His research bringing him closer to understanding the creatures. As the two men talk, an uneasy feeling overcomes Bilbo. And because of how Albold were describing the dwarf, it was easy to tell they were referring to Bifur, the only dwarf who had some sort of physical abnormality to him. It wasn't like dwarves, or anyone for that matter, walked around with axes in their head on a regular biases. He comes out from the alleyway, following the two men from behind as they enter into the building.

"I will admit I have yet to learn of dwarves...Outside of stories and texts" Rigby says trailing off a little as the two men walk inside the building.

As the door starts to swing closed, Bilbo hurries over. He stops the door from completely shutting with his large foot before pulling it open and entering, finally allowing the door to shut.

On the main floor, two of the riders from the day before are sitting at one of the tables. Between the two men was a board with several stone pieces of various colors spread out. As the two men at the table bicker about whether the other was cheating or not, a third man rolls over in one of the cots, his arm falling over the side as he continues to sleep.

In the basement, Tomlin sits quietly in one of the chairs with his feet on the desk. His arms crossed behind his head and his eyes closed as he leans back slightly. All the while, Blane slides a cup of water and a bread roll through the bars of each cell for the dwarves.

"And how do ya expect me to eat that?" Dwalin questions in a harsh tone as he watches the man pretty much toss the bread into his cell. "Can't exactly pick it up now can I!"

"I don't care" Blane replies as he pushes the cup with water through the bars. His peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Bifur, gripping the cup with his teeth and tilting his head back to drink the water inside. "I'm sure if the damaged one can figure it out, you can too"

Bifur guzzles the liquid inside the cup before allowing it to drop. The tin clinking against the floor as it lands. From his seated position, Bifur then leans into the bun, gripping it with his teeth. As he sits himself back up, he uncrosses his legs and brings his knees up to his chest. He places the bun between his knees, using them to hold the bun as he takes a bite.

Dwalin stares at Bifur from a few cells down, actually impressed at how Bifur had managed to maneuver himself around without eating everything off the floor like a dog. Ori, Nori, Bofur and Bombur all begin copying Bifur as he eats, while Gloin, Thorin, Balin and Oin all stare at the food. Each of them, no matter how much their stomachs were aching from hunger, refusing to eat off the floor.

Blane then approaches Kili's cell, looking down at the dwarf as he stands on the other side of the bar. The dwarf prince still leaning his head against the cell door as he remained seated. His eyes empty as they gazed across the room to the stairs. "Oi!" Blane exclaims as he kicks the bars with his foot trying to get Kili to move. As the bars jolt a little, Kili tilts his head up to stare at the man on the other side. His look not of anger or sadness, but more of a broken dwarf who had no idea where his brother was taken or if his brother was even going to be ok. He and Fili were inseparable. Together since the day Kili had been born. Always watching out for each other and now, Kili was alone. Left with nothing.

"This ones starting to freak me out...." Blane calls out to Tomlin.

"Maybe if you didn't take away his brother!" Gloin angerly exclaims, knowing how important family was. After all, there was nothing more important to Gloin than Gimli and his wife.

"Or treat us like animals" Bofur adds as he takes an angered bite from his piece of bread, still impressed by Bifur's solution to eating without hands.

Blane turns his attention to Gloin as he speaks to him. He arches a brow as he looks back to the dark hair dwarf. "They didn't look related" he snorts to himself as he finally holds his hand through the bars and drops the bread roll beside Kili, along with the cup of water.

"It's right this way"

Albold voice carries from the top of the stairs to the bottom as he descends down with Rigby right behind him.

Thorin's eyes open as he hears the leader of his captors making his way down the stairs. He lets out a small breath through his nose as he watches the man step off the last step.

Rigby stops at the bottom of the stairs, looking at the room before him. He was so used to the cells being filled with varieties of Orcs, Goblins and on occasion warg pups and the odd Elf, that he was a little stunned to see so many dwarves. He slowly follows behind Albold, looking into each cell as he passes. Some of the dwarves shooting the older man glares while others look away. Then there was Oin who didn't seem to even notice anyone enter as his gaze was still on the cup of water as he was trying to decide whether or not to drink it.

Albold stops in front of Bifirs cell. The dwarf, lowering his knees as he looks up at the two men. "Sigin'adadmêzu kasat gairurukh!" he spits out with a slight growl in his voice. "Kakhuf inbarathrag."

"What is he saying? I don't understand him" Rigby says a little confused as he clearly did not speak the language of the dwarves.

"He sayin' that your grandfather was a goblin" Bofur states in his usual cheery voice as he takes the moment to translate, snickering a little to himself. "Oh, and then he called you goat turds"

"Does he not speak common?" Rigby questions as he turns around to Bofur, actually talking to the dwarf like another person, rather than treating them like animals.

"He used to" Bofur adds, kind of liking that he was at least having some normal-ish conversaion. "Then he took an axe to the head!"

"I see...." Rigby's eyes drift over to Oin, who was in the cell next to Bofur. The dwarfs body language and lack of response to the noise in the room telling Rigby that something was a little off with this particular dwarf as well. "Tell me, what is this ones story?"

Bofur looks to the cell next to him with an arched brow. "Oin? Just a little hard of hearin' is all!"

"Bofur" Thorin snaps in a firm voice from his cell as he shoots the cheery dwarf a glare.

"What?!" Bofur replies back to Thorin. "I'm trying to protect them!"

"By telling these monsters every detail about us!?"

Bofur leans back against the wall in annoyance as he holds back his tongue. He wasn't trying to give away any secrets, just trying to protect his cousin and friend. Not wanting either of them to get hurt because these men weren't aware of their 'disabilities'.

"How much for the three of them?" Rigby suddenly states in a calm voice. Though in a way, it wasn't as threatening or demanding as the woman who had barged in the day before.

As the words come out of the mans mouth, Bofur leans back up from the wall. It was very clear who he was talking about, as there were only three dwarves that had caught the mans attention. Threatening or not, hearing that someone wanted to 'buy' him and two of his kin wasn't exactly a pleasant thing for anyone to hear.

"Three?" Albold questions with surprise.

"Yeah. The one with the axe in his head really has caught my attention as you assumed correctly. And I'm going to need a translator, unless you know anyone who understands Khuzdul, that dwarf seems well behaved" Rigby states casually, kind of taking a liking to Bofur. "And I can always use more test subjects to try my new elixirs on" he finally adds looking towards Oin who had finally taken notice of the men in the room.

"Sounds good" Albold replies as he places a hand on Rigby's back.

This was Tomlin and Blanes cue. With the keys in hand, Tomlin approaches Bofur's cell, having decided to start with the more docile of the three. As he pulls open the door, Tomlin enters into the cell, grabbing Bofur by the shoulder as he pulls the dwarf up to his feet.

"No need to be so rough!" Bofur chokes out as he's pulled up. "I-I'm not gonna run..." he says swallowing nervously as he slowly steps out of the cell, allowing Blane to take a hold of him. The dwarf nervously looking at the others as he's lead out. His eyes finally meeting with Thorin's as his king looks away without a word. The king really having not said much since Fili was taken away, aside from his outburst to Bofur. Blane pulls Bofur towards the wall where the extra rope was hanging. Removing the rope from the wall, Blane begins tying it around Bofurs Torso, Bofur wincing a little as it was a little too tight for his liking.

Next was Oin, who struggled a bit but didn't put up much of a fight, as being hard of hearing put the dwarf at a disadvantage. Last thing the older dwarf needed was to be taken out from behind because he couldn't hear them coming. Tomlin leads the older dwarf to Blane, passing him to his partner who proceeds to continue wrapping the rope around the dwarfs torso, linking him to Bofur. As Oin is tied, Bofur lets out a defeated sigh as he steps himself closer to the older dwarf, gently laying his head against his. His usual upbeat exterior no longer able to hide the fact that he was actually terrified. Oin keeps himself calm as he allows Bofur to lean on him.

Finally, there was Bifur. Of the three of them, he was the one most likely to put up a fight. And put up a fight he did. As soon as Tomlin opened the cell door, Bifur leapt to his feet like a lion hunting a gazelle. He actually managed to take Tomlin, the larger man of the two, by surprise as his pounce knocked the man back.

Bifur then pulls away from Tomlin with a grin on his face as he turns to Blane. He lets out a loud battle cry as he charges towards the man. Blanes eyes widen as the dwarf comes at him, this dwarf more threatening than the one that had bit him just the day before. Blane cowers behind his arms as Bifur tackles the man to the ground, landing atop of him.

"GET HIM!" Dwalin cheers with excitement, enjoying watching the smaller man actually cowering under Bifur.

"Etzil" Bofur yells. Trying to get Bifur to stop in contrast to Dwalin encouraging the dwarf, knowing that this was only going to end badly for his cousin.

Bifur snaps his teeth at the obviously scared Blane, laughing a little as he enjoys this moment. Suddenly, a pair of arms wrap around Bifur. Bifur is quickly raised off of Blane and into the air, his legs kicking frantically in front as Tomlin carries the dwarf over towards Bofur and Oin. Only instead of gently placing the dwarf down, he throws Bifur to the ground like he had Fili just the day before.

"Wait!" Bofur exclaims as he doesn't want them to bind his cousin the way they had Fili.

Bofur steps over Bifur, slightly pushing Tomlin away from his cousin as the man was about to pin the dwarf down to the ground. Oin having no choice but to move forward a step as the slack between him and Bofur tightens. Bofur then crouches down, beside Bifur as he begins speaking to him in Khuzdul. Bofur speaks softly to his cousin, asking him to stop with the aggression. To some it seemed as to Bofur was giving up, but the reality was he didn't want to see his cousin or anyone for that matter get hurt. He was already scared enough not knowing what was going to happen to the three of them. Not sure if they would even see others again or even survive but he saw no point in Bifur creating more trouble than they were already in.

"Please" Bofur chokes out as his own eyes finally start to water, despite the forced smile he gives to his cousin. "Just do what they say.....for now. We'll figure out the rest later...."

Bifur glares at Tomlin before looking back to Bofur who despite his fear, tried his best to keep his smile on. Bifur lets out a small sigh as he nods. Bifur knowing that there was a time and place for fighting, and as much as he wanted to fight, this probably was not the best place. Even if he did get away from them men down here, there were still the people residing upstairs.

"He's not going to fight anymore..." Bofur says as he slowly stands himself back up, taking a step away from Bifur, keeping his eyes on Tomlin.

Tomlin hesitates a moment, unsure whether he should trust the dwarf.

"I don't think extra ropes will be necessary" Rigby adds in support of Bofur. "Even I can tell he's calmed down"

Tomlin gives a nod as he finally reaches down and pulls Bifur back up to his feet. Cautiously, he leads the dwarf behind Oin, holding the dwarf in place as Blane wraps the final bit of rope around Bifur.

---------------

Bilbo was waiting at the top of the stairs. This time determined to not let any of his friends get away from him, having been listening to everything happening. A part of him actually relieved this man was taking three of his friends, knowing that the four of them could easily out number this man once they were unbound.

He waits patiently when suddenly the front door opens up. A large man walks in, catching Bilbo's attention. The man quite tall and wide for a human. His long sleeves rolled up as he wears a half apron across his waste. Bilbo tilting a head a moment when he starts thinking about how this man looked familiar to him. It wasn't like he knew anyone in the town, so maybe they passed somewhere else during their travels?

"Welles! You have any more of that amazing salted pork in stock?" One of the men calls from across the room, acknowledging the man who enters.

Welles smirks back to the man talking to him. "Sold out!"

"Let us know when you get more!" Another replies.

"....salted pork....?" Bilbo mutters quietly to himself as he starts to piece it together. "...pork..."

"Might have to give salted dwarf a try" Welles replies with a hardy chuckle.

"Maybe!" The man replies, laughing with Welles.

Bilbo's jaw drops open as the realization hit him. 'oh no...' This was the man he had noticed in the market. The one with the stall that sold 'exotic' meats. The one that had Orc, Troll, Goblin and according to the sign, Elf. His heart really begins to sink as he knows exactly which dwarf this man would go for. There was not a single doubt in Bilbo's mind that this man would take one look at Bombur and want that dwarf.

Bilbo closes his eyes, taking in slow breaths as he hears footsteps coming up the stairs. Rigby leading the line of dwarves with a rope in hand. Bofur with his head hanging low, Oin looking just as defeated and Bifur, who kept his eyes up and locked on the man in the front as he grumbled to himself.

As the group clears the stairs, Welles makes his way down the stairs.

'I am so sorry' Bilbo mutters as he watches his friends exiting the building as he feels his chest tighten. As much as he wanted to follow them, Welles was more of a threat. His intentions more clear to Bilbo. The hobbit knowing that when he heard the words 'What's the biggest dwarf you've got?', that Bombur's time was limited, and there was no way he could ever live with himself knowing the fate that would await his friend.

--------------

"What's the biggest dwarf you got?" Welles asks as soon as he reaches the bottom of the stairs with a sick grin on his face. Welles was the best butcher in the town. Usually dealing with the standard stock, such as chickens and pigs, but from time to time he dabbled in other meats. Finding it fun to experiment with different creatures ranging from Warg to orcs.

"Tomlin?" Albold calls out as he gestures to his second in command to show Welles the biggest Dwarf in captivity.

"I think you'll be quite pleased with this one" Tomlin says as he steps a couple cells in.

Bombur was back to sitting in the corner of the cell. He looks up as he hears Tomlin stop in front of his cell. His body starting to tremble as they referred to him as the 'largest dwarf available'. He had no shame in who he was. The dwarf loved to eat and just because he was 'fat', it never slowed him down or impacted his self-worth or confidence. He loved who he was. Except when it came to those who wanted to eat him.

The trolls.

The spiders.

Because of his large size, Bombur was always the one that others wanted to eat first. Welles intentions more than clear to the dwarf.

Chapter Text

Fili sits in the middle of a large family room. It was a home unlike anything Fili had seen before. One belonging to people who clearly came from wealth, it's interiors decorated with furniture carved from mahogany. It's couches upholstered with fine fabrics of rich colours.

Beneath him, wooden floors polished to perfection, above him a golden candle lit chandelier. In front, a large brick fireplace that was lit with some firepokers resting against the brick. The walls were decorated with the heads of deer and bears, trophies from hunts. When it came to showing off ones wealth, this house held no subtilty.

The ropes around Fili's feet had been cut, mostly because there was no way Cora was going to carry the dwarf prince into the house. But the ropes around his wrists and torso were still there. Cora crouches down to Fili, looking at him in the eyes as she hesitates with removing the gag. Fili's eyes narrow into a small, exhausted glare as he takes slow breaths from his nose.

"Mmm-le-mmmm-go" Fili mumbles as he starts pulling at the ropes binding his wrists with frustration.

"You want that muzzle gone?" Cora questions as she tilts her head to the side, taking Fili's chin into her soft hands.

Fili lets out a huffed breath through his nose as he stops struggling. His chest feeling tight as he is forced to look at the woman.

"You and I are going to go through a few rules, and then I'll consider removing it" Cora states as she removes her hand from Fili's chin.

Cora stands up from her crouched position. Standing overtop of Fili as a means to showing the dwarf who was in charge. She went on about how in this house it was her, her husband Hunter, and her daughter Jessie. Jessie had just turned twelve and had been begging her parents for a new pet, ever since she accidentally killed her last pet. A goblin that was gifted to her when she had turned ten. Not wanting a repeat as to what happened with the goblin, when the dwarves were brought in, she figured it would be much easier. And naturally she wanted a dwarf that wasn't too hard on the eyes, which is why she wanted Fili. She might have been married but a woman can still look. It was going to be him or the dark haired one. Those particular words making Fili feel nauseated. Cora had also gone into some of the rules such as how he was to obey her daughters words. If he didn't listen, he would be punished. If he hurt her in anyway, he would be punished. The typical rules of a pet when it came to obedience training.

Fili sits there, his legs crossed as he just stared at this woman. It wasn't like he could reply to her.

"Do you understand me, Dwarf?" she finally asks as she finishes her spew about all these rules.

Fili stares at her as if she was absolutely crazy. Which, to him, she absolutely was. He wasn't a dog. He was a dwarf, and not just any dwarf! But, wanting the gag removed, he simply and slowly nods his head.

"Good" Cora says with a polite smile as she crouches back down before Fili, finally untying the cloth from around his head.

"Abrâfu shaikmashâz!" Fili spits out as he takes in a breath of air.

"What was that?" Cora replies in an angered tone as she holds up her hand, ready to strike the dwarf across the face.

Fili closes his eyes tightly as he tries to brace himself for a strike, but is relieved when a voice if a child manages to calm her mom.

"Ma!' Jessie exclaims as she comes bursting into the living room. The young girl practically leaping into Cora's arms as she wraps her arms around her mothers neck in a loving embrace.

"How was your morning venture? Did you catch a lot of fish?"

"Uh-huh!" She replies with a nod.

"Girl caught more than I did" a low male voice says.

Hunters appearance really lived up to his name. He had a thick bushy beard, large chest, and was physically fit. His outdoorsman look bit of a contrast to Coras more regal appearance.

"Whats this?" Hunter questions as he enters further into the room, eyeing the dwarf. "Don't see dwarves around these parts very often...."

"Clearly..." Fili replies in a flat tone as he had heard numerous people make that same comment.

"This is Jessie's new pet!" Cora states, just getting right to the point. "Albold brought them in and I just knew when I saw this one that Jessie would love him!"

Hunter smirks as he looks down on the dwarf. "I don't know...are you ready for a new pet, Jessie? It is a pretty big responsibility"

Jessie hadn't even noticed the Dwarf when she came barreling into the room. Pulling away from the hug, the young girl turns around. Upon seeing Fili, her face lights up. "Really? This is mine?"

....."I am no ones"....Fili replies, completely being ignored.

"Of course, sweety!" Cora replies, letting go of Jessie as her daughter completely becomes fixated on the dwarf.

"Does he have a name" Jessie asks curiously as grabs Filis mustache braids, tugging on them.

Fili pulls his head away from the child when she tugs his braids. "My NAME is Fili" he states firmly. "And I belong to no one!"

Jessie reaches out, taking a stronger hold of the dwarfs braids. "Thats a stupid name" she replies "I'm going to call you Bingo!"

"My name is Fili" Fili snaps back to the girl.

Suddenly, Hunter reaches down. He gathers a chunk of Fili's hair into his fist as he rips the dwarf from floor and pulls him to his feet. Fili winces as his hair is volently pulled.

"What did you say your name was?" Hunter asks in a threatening tone as he raises Fili up so that his feet were barely touching the floor below him.

"Fi...." As Fili starts to talk, Hunter pulls the dwarf in close to him, yanking his hair harder. "FI...LI"

Hunter lets Fili drop slightly, so his feet were back on the ground. Still with the dwarfs hair in hand, he begins dragging Fili towards the fireplace. Fili trips over his own feet as he is dragged right in front of the open flame. Hunter holds Fili's face just outside of the flame. Fili's eyes widen in horror as he can feel the warmth on his cheek.

"What is your name?" Hunter questions.

Fili stares at the flickering flames. His pulse racing as he was positive he was just about to be thrown into the fire.

"WHAT IS YOUR NAME?!" Hunter yells out, jolting Filis head slightly closer.

"F..F.....Bi..."

Sweat begins forming on Fili's face from the heat. It wasn't enough to hurt him yet but another couple inches and he would be burned.

"BINGO" Fili chokes out with a tremble in his voice as a small spark singes his cheek. "MY NAME IS BINGO"

The grip on Filis hair is loosened as Hunter pulls the dwarf back away from the flame. His right cheek red and warm from being so close to the flames. Fili is dropped onto his back. He lays there , heart pounding against his chest he stares at the ceiling in complete shock. His mind trying to process what the hell had just happened.

Jessie leaps on top of Fili, wrapping her arms around the dwarf as he beathes heavily. "We're going to have so much fun together, Bingo!"

Chapter Text

Welles sits upon his horses saddle with the reigns in hands. The horse gently trotting through the town with a large enclosed carriage in tow.

In the wagon, Bombur sits on one of the benches. He looks out the little window on the back door as he watches the buildings pass by. He stands up from the seat, gently nudging the door with his elbow. While it was locked, the way it moved a little meant that he could very much easily break it open. He ponders a moment as he looks out the little window. He sees people going about their lives on the streets, small homes and shops. He starts to wonder how far he would be able to get, considering what the man had wanted Bombur for, he really didn't have much to lose.

Bombur takes a breath in as he takes a couple steps back. He leans his shoulder slightly forward as he prepares to bust through the door.

"I don't think you'll get far all tied up like that!"

Bombur suddenly jumps with a slight 'yelp' in his voice as he turns around and falls, only to be caught by the bench he was originally sitting on. His heart nearly stopping.

Bilbo is sitting on the bench across from where Bombur was with a smirk on his face.

"Sorry! Didn't mean to startle you!" Bilbo immediately says as he stands himself up. Bilbo unsheathes sting as he holds a hand out to Bombur. "Here"

"Warn a dwarf next time!" Bombur chuckles as he turns his back to Bilbo, allowing the halfling to cut the bonds around his wrists. The ropes fall to the ground, leaving behind rope burns that outlined where the ropes had been tied. "Where have you been?"

Bombur shifts back in the seat, leaning against the wall as he gently massages the feeling back into his wrists.

"I've been closer than you realize" Bilbo says in an tired voice.

As the two of them talk, the wagon comes to a stop. Bombur looks out the little window. The cart having parked in a small alleyway beside what he could only assume was the butcher shop belonging to Welles.

"You have a plan right?" Bombur questions as he hears Welles on the outside dismounting his horse. His stomach feeling tight, not just from hunger, but from nervousness as to what was going to happen when that door opened and Bombur was caught with Bilbo.

"Actually, I do" Bilbo replies with a smile on his face as he holds up sting.

------------

As Welles unlocks the door to the carriage the last thing he had expected was for the large dwarf inside to jump him.

The moment the door was thrown open, Bombur leaps from the inside, tackling the man to the ground. As bombur lands on top, Bilbo hurries out with his blade in one hand and the ropes he had removed from Bombur in the other.

"Hmmmm" Welles mumbles as he was being crushed by Bombur. "Get-....of!"

While Bombur was usually a kind hearted Dwarf, he couldn't help but find amusement in hearing the man begging for Bombur to get off. Considering what Bombur and his friends had already been going through, making similar demands. As Bombur slides off Welles, Bilbo points the tip of his blade to the mans neck.

"Don't move. Don't say a word" Bilbo says in a firm voice as he hands the rope to Bombur.

"Don't te-"

"I said don't say a word!" Bilbo reiterates, cutting Welles off as he applies some pressure against his neck with sting.

Welles goes silent as he lays there on his back, staring up at the halfling.

"Hands up!" Bilbo suddenly demands. "Slowly"

Welles holds his hands up into the air as Bombur begins tying the rope around the mans wrists. Bombur would have preferred to bind them behind the mans back but they needed to move before someone noticed them. Once Welles hands were secured, Bombur grabs the man by the arm, helping the taller man to his feet. Welles looks down at Bombur and then to Bilbo, almost embarrassed that he had let such little folk get the upper hand against him.

"What now?" Welles questions as Bombur and Bilbo lead the butcher towards the back door of his shop, Bilbo peering out of the alleyway before making the move. "If you're planning on using me as a hostage to get your little friends back, it's not going to work"

"Oh no, I've got other plans" Bilbo replies as he enters into the shop, followed by Welles who was being pushed by Bombur.

Once inside, Bilbo closes the door behind them.

Bilbo, Bombur and Welles stand in the backroom of Welles' butcher shop. The room filled with numerous crates, tables and numerous assorted tools for slaughtering and cutting up meat. It's feel looking more like a dungeon rather than a butcher shop. The dark and dreary tone of the room almost making Bombur want to go vegetarian.....almost.

Bombur spots several meat hooks hanging from the ceiling. Two which was currently occupied with what used to be pigs on them. Beside them a third empty hook. "Hey" Bombur calls to Bilbo, getting an idea.

"Good idea!" Bilbo replies with a smirk as he slides one of the many boxed crates over to Bombur.

Bombur pushes Welles under the meat hook while Bilbo finds the chains pully system to lower the hook down. Bombur steps up onto the crate as he pulls Welles arms up above his head. He then slides the large meat hook between Welles hands and under the rope. Once secure, Bilbo begins pulling back on the chains, raising the man off the ground.

Welles rolls his eyes as he's hoisted into the air. "You haven't won" he hisses through his teeth as his feet dangle. Suddenly, Welles opens his mouth wide "HE-!" he starts to yell out in a loud booming voice.

"Bombur!" Bilbo calls out as he picks up a cloth that was sitting on one of the tables. What used to be a clean white cloth, now stained with who knows what, but none of that mattered. Bilbo tosses the cloth to Bombur, who catches it. As the butcher's mouth was wide open, Bombur just shoves it right in there. Gagging the man.

Welle's eyes widen with shock as the disgusting cloth was shoved into his mouth. "Hnmmmm-" He mumbles as he sways.

"Much better!" Bombur replies as he steps down from the crate, dragging it away from Welles so he couldn't try and use it. "Now what?" Bombur questions as he starts curiously looking through some of the crates, his stomach rumbling a little.

"You are going to wait here" Bilbo states as he too looks through some of the crates, grinning ear to ear when he finds one filled with breads and cheese as both Bombur and Bilbo were purposely avoiding the meat. Neither of them wanting to accidentally consume something unsavory.

"Sorry, but I don't think I can stay here alone" Bombur replies as he looks to Bilbo. Bilbo then tosses a small brick of cheddar to Bombur. As Bombur catches it, he immediately sinks his teeth into it, practically inhaling it as he makes his way over to the crate Bilbo had found to grab some more from it.

"Just until sundown" Bilbo replies as he munches into his own piece of cheese. Bilbo then looks to Welles, holding up the cheese he had just bitten in to. "Hungry?"

Welles glares at Bilbo as he mumbles what Bilbo could only assume were curse words at him. Bilbo then shrugs as he pops the piece into his mouth.

"I've already lost track of Fili, Bifur, Bofur and Oin" Bilbo replies with a small sigh, knowing that Bombur did not want to be left alone in this place. "but if I can intercept more, then our chances of finding the others increases"

Bombur swallows the cheese in his mouth when Bilbo mentions losing his brother and cousin. He looks down with a small worried frown on his face.

"Hey..." Bilbo starts, placing a hand on the bigger dwarfs back. Bombur looks up to Bilbo as he continues to speak. "We're going to get them back, I just need you to hang tight, ok?" Bilbo pauses for a second as he realizes what he said. A small smirk forms on his face as he laughs a little, looking to Welles. "You too!"

Once again, Welles mumbles something incoherent at the halfling.

"It's not safe to be traveling in the day" Bilbo continues, knowing that if the towns folk knew the dwarves weren't there as gusts, but rather property, Bombur would not be safe if spotted. His plan being to wait for the movement of any other dwarves and intercept them before they were too far out of reach. "Once the sun goes down, I will return and we'll take the horse carriage to someplace safer. Hopefully, it'll be more than just you and me" Bilbo says in an optimistic tone before looking to Welles once more. "You won't mind if we borrow your horse, do ya? Didn't think you would!"

"Mmmm" Welles huffs as he continues to dangle from the ceiling.

Of course, Bilbo hadn't exactly planned how they were going to control a full grown horse, as the Dwarves and himself were build more for ponies, but that would be an issue for future Bilbo.

"Bombur, for now, I want you to just rest. And eat!" Bilbo says with a light smile, turning his attention back to his friend. "If we're going to save the others, I'm going to need you at full strength! Understood?"

Bombur grabs a piece of bread from the crate. He gives a firm not as he shoves it into his mouth. "Umdrr-stmd" he mumbles with his mouth full.

Chapter Text

Dori quietly walks behind the young couple that had decided to 'purchase' him. Neither of them worried of him running away as like all the others, he was secured with a rope around the torso that was used as a leash that the husband held tightly in his hand.

A woman with neatly tied hair, braided into a bun walks on the left. Her dress light blue with simple white accents flowing lightly with the breeze. In her arms, she holds her toddler, five year old Logan who was resting his head on her shoulder taking a nap as she walked. Beside her on the right, her husband who dawned a yellow vest with white undershirt and simple brown pants. His hair copper and curly, just like his son.

Despite the situation, as they walked, Dori felt no fear with this couple. It was probably because of how they had presented themselves when they had first arrived to his 'prison'. They were soft spoken, kind, and almost seemed out of place in comparison to the other people who had taken his friends away. They claimed to be looking for help around their home and Dori was the one who caught their attention. The first thing they did was introduce themselves to Dori as Melody, Siegfried, and their only child, Logan.

"This is it" Melody says with a soft voice as they approach a simple home just a few blocks from Albolds.

Dori gives a polite smile, not entirely sure what he should say or do. He was glad these people at least seemed to be respectable but at the same time, he was still their prisoner. Being held against his own will. And worst of all, taken away from Ori. Even if Ori was old enough to take care of himself, Dori still felt responsible for his youngest brother. There was still so much the young dwarf had to learn about life, and last thing Dori needed was Ori to be influenced by Nori (whom he still loved, bad influence or not.)

The couple lead Dori into the house. And the moment the doors close, Siegfried removes a knife from his belt. He pulls Dori forward slightly as he steps behind to remove the ropes.

"I am sorry for that" Siegfried says with a small sigh. "You didn't deserve any of that"

Dori was a little surprised when his hands were freed. He pulls his hands around front, gently rubbing his wrists. "None of my friends do..." Dori replies calmly.

Melody gently rocks her son in her arms as hes completely passed out asleep. "You must be hungry" she says to Dori, knowing that the poor dwarf probably had a good meal in days. She then looks to her husband, carefully passing Logan to him. "Why don't you give Dori the grand tour and I'll get dinner started"

Siegfried takes Logan into his arms as he holds his son close. "Come this way" he says to Dori as he leads the dwarf further into the house.

Dori follows, really taken aback by this kindness he was being given. Siegfried leads Dori through the kitchen, which was very simple with a single wooden table, four chairs and a woodstove. The room also doubling as a family room as the main floor was just one big room. At the end of the room is a staircase going up. Dori follows the man to the upper level where it was divided into a hallway with three rooms. The master bedroom that belonged to Melody and Siegfried, the washroom which had just a simple tub for bathing.

"And this is where you'll be staying" Siegfried says as he opens the door to the final room.

Inside was two beds, one on the right wall and the other on the left. The floor had a large plush rug in the middle with some toys made of wood scattered on it. Their designs looking very similar to some that the dwarves make. Siegfried steps over a small wooden boat as he approaches the bed on the left side. He gently places Logan down on the bed, laying him down for a much needed nap. As he tucks his son in, Siegfried gives Logan a small kiss on the head. He then turns his attention back to Dori. "That will be your bed there" he says as he gestures to the bed on the other side of the room.

"This is all very generous of you..." Dori says politely but proceeds to speak with caution with his next words. "If I may, I'd really rather be with my own family"

Siegfried lets out a small sigh as he moves across the room, taking a seat on Dori's bed. He gestures to the dwarf to come take a seat beside him. Dori obliges, taking a seat beside the bigger man as he senses something is a little off. "I'm going to be honest with you" he starts as he stares at his son. "Melody and I do not agree with what Albold is doing to you or your friends. Even when he brought in Orcs and goblins, it just seemed so cruel."

Dori tilts his head with confusion as he speaks. "Then why give him your business?" he questions, feeling that it was a little hypocritical of the man to give money to a cause they didn't fully think was right.

"We don't have much money but we decided that if we could at the very least help one of you it would be better than nothing"

"It's very bold of you to assume I'm going to stay here and just live with you when I have a family of my own to worry about"

"And we won't hold you by force, but I don't recommend leaving. At least not until Albold and his team leave for their next hunt and the town has forgotten all about the dwarves. "

"And when would that be?"

"Who knows. Could be a week, could be a month....but leaving now would not end well for you."

Dori takes in a small breath as he thinks about what was being said to him. Siegfried seemed to be very genuine in his words, and there really was nothing threatening coming from his voice. Dori gives a small nod as he understands that leaving now would not be the safest option. A part of him curious how it would even look on the family if word got out about what they were doing.

"If you want to help, I would like to request you bring me back and instead take my younger brother, Ori" Dori replies with a small frown on his face. In all honesty, he didn't want to leave Ori alone but if he knew that Ori was with this family, he would be able to rest easy knowing that his brother was safe.

"I can't" Siegfried replies, his eyes looking back to Logan who was sleeping soundly. "I guess there is a little more to it"

"Of course there is" Dori replies, not overly surprised.

"Logan is sick" Siegfried says in a low voice. "Has been since the day he was born, but we can't afford medicine for him"

"I'm not entirely sure what I can do to help, Oin would have been best suited for your needs, had he not been snatched up before your arrival."

"You stood out to us as someone who was gentle and kindhearted. Patient." Siegfried replies as he looks back to Dori. "Neither Melody nor I can work, not while we are watching over Logan. I know I have no right to ask this of you but-"

"You want me to help care for him so that you can make some money for medicine" Dori states, cutting the emotional man off.

Siegfried nods slightly as Dori finally understood where he was coming from. With the extra set of hands, Siegfried would be able to take on odd jobs around the town to make extra money. Melody would be able to set up shop in the market as well. Both of them just wanting to do what was best for their only son.

"Just for a little while" Siegfried replies. "Until you can safely leave"

Dori's eyes gaze over to the young boy laying in the bed. He could understand the parents desperation in wanting to do what they could for their son and did not blame them for wanting to try and get the extra help. Not to mention there was no denying that Dori had a soft spot for children, having practically raised Ori himself. He gives a faint smile as he gives yet another nod.

"I'll do what I can to help out" he says in a polite voice as he looks at Logan as though it were his own brother. Suddenly, his look turns to Siegfried with a little more confidence in his voice. "But I'd like you to help me in return"

"Of course"

Chapter Text

Two young boys, come running past the cells with excitement. The oldest one, who was twelve, named Eri and his younger brother who was only seven by the name if Eija, looking at the different dwarves as though they were dogs in the kennel.

"Is this one sick?" Eija questions as he stops in front of Kili's cell, staring at the broken dwarf. He nudges Kili's shoulder with his shoe before Eri gabs him by the arm, pulling his younger brother away from the cell.

"Ewwww...Don't touch it!" He exclaims with disgust in his voice. "You might get sick too!"

"I don't want to get sick!"

"You're not going to get sick" Their father replies as he crosses his arm, smiling at his kids enthusiasm. The large mans name was Halldora, his appearance to the dwarves familiar as he was one of the hunters that accompanied Albold during their capture. Considered one of the best hunters in the town, which is why he was chosen by Albold to be apart of his team during hunts. And when he wasn't out for the hunts, he was a father to two boys whom he was trying to raise to be great hunters like himself.

The two boys stop in front of Dwalin's cell and without a beat, Dwalin starts forcing a cough. He even stands himself up as he slowly moves towards the cell door, pretending to hack up a lung in the direction of the boys. "Of course-cough-you will!" Dwalin says with his eyes narrowed and locked on the two boys that slowly back away from him. "Dwarf illnesses-cough-are-cough-highly contagious-cough- and incredibly deadly to non dwarf -cough- folk!"

Halldora steps in front of Dwalin's cell while his two boys hide behind him. Dwalin smirks at the bigger man, who glares at him with an unimpressed look on his face. "Not my fault your boys are a couple of gullible Khuzd kheldul"

"It would be wise to hold your tongue, dwarf" Halldora replies in a firm tone, refusing to let anyone belittle his children. "Or i will see to it that yours is removed"

Dwalin rolls his eyes as the man threatens him. "Such big words coming from a man who stands behind the safety of bars!" Dwalin smirks as he refuses to be intimidated by Halldora or anyone for that matter.

Halldora turns away from Dwalin, crouching down to his children who were still behind him, watching their father argue with the dwarf. "Come on, we don't have all day" he says to them in a father voice.

"How about that one?" Eri says as he suddenly points to Gloin who was just sitting in his cell with a glare on his face.

Halldora walks over to the cell, looking in at the dwarf. He was a nice size, looked as thought he had some experience in fighting. As Eri was his oldest, he wanted a dwarf that would give him a challenge but not too be difficult. He gives a small nod as he looks back to his eldest son. "I think he is an excellent choice" he replies as he snaps his fingers to Tomlin, pointing to Gloin in the cage. "We'll take this one...."

Halldora then places a hand on his youngest boys back as he leads him past the cells. He stops in front of Ori's cell. The smaller more frail dwarf appealing to Halldora because this was Eija's first hunt and like all great hunters, he had to start small. Eija steps forward, taking a hold of the bars as he places his face between the bars.

"It's so scrawny" Eija says as he scrunches his nose. "I want a BIG one!"

"Looks can be very deceiving" Halldora replies as he crouches to his sons level. "He might look small but I assure you he's much stronger than you to believe. Just like how you're so small and yet the toughest man I know!" He adds as he places a hand on his sons hair, messing it a little.

Eija giggles as his dad messes his hair up. "You really think this dwarf is strong?"

"Of course I do! I want only the best for my boys "

In actuality, he did not. He knew that Ori was obviously the weakest one here but he wasn't going to say anything like that to his son. This was an activity to help build his children's confidence and mold them into the best hunters they could possibly be. Halldora smiles at his boy as he reaches his arms around him, pulling Eija into a hug. Halldora then stands himself up, picking his youngest boy up into his arms along with him. The youngest smiling brightly as once again, Halldora points to Ori in his cell.

"We'll take that one as well" Halldora says as he steps back from the cell. "Oh, and give me the big dumb one"

Unlike Ori who was terrified when he was pulled from his cell, Dwalin grins with an almost psychotic look on his face. This man claimed to like challenges, so Dwalin was going to give him the challenge of a lifetime. He was going to see who the real hunter was.

----------------

Gloin was the first to be let into the large wooden cage being towed by two large horses. Next to him was Ori and then finally it was Dwalin. The door shut and locked while the three dwarves sat on the floor.

Ori pulls his knees up to his chest as he rests his chin between his knees. "Are we going to die?" he questions with a tremble in his voice.

"Not with me you ain't!" Dwalin replies with a smirk on his face.

"Try not to look so happy" Gloin snaps at the larger dwarf. , noting that Dwalin had been grinning ear to ear since he was chosen.

"Trust me, ain't no way I'm letting any of those Khuzd khelduls kill us" Dwalin replies with confidence to Ori.

"Dwalin is right though" Gloin states. "You stay close to us and we will protect you"

Ori tries to force a smile but finds he really is unable to. Instead he lifts his head slightly, leaning it against Gloins shoulder for comfort.

"It's going to be fine, laddie"

Halldora climbs into the front of the carriage with his boys sitting on either side of him. Halldora then snaps the reigns and the two horses pulling the cart start to talk.

"Hey" a voice says suddenly from the back of the cart. Bilbo removes the ring, revealing himself to be hanging onto the back of the wooden cage as it moves.

"Bi-"

"Shhhh!" Bilbo says immediately cutting off an excited sounding Ori, not wanting the three sitting in the drivers seat to notice the stowaway hanging onto the back. With a slight smirk, Bilbo then slips the ring back on, going invisible as he hangs on for the ride.

----------------

The ride was about twenty minuets out from the town. The horses having pulled up a large farmhouse. Chickens run across the front lawn as the horses come to a completes top. Bilbo lets go of the side, jumping down from the carriage, taking a few steps away from the carriage as Halldora approaches with a key.

"Out" He says firmly as he opens the door, the three dwarves awkwardly pulling themselves to their feet as they step out, one by one. As Gloin was the first in the line of dwarves, Halldora takes a hold of the dwarf by the underarm and begins leading them towards the barn beside his main home.

"Eri, get the door" He calls out, his son sprinting ahead to slide the large barn door open for his dad.

Gloin, Ori and Dwalin are lead inside the barn. Passing by three other horses in the stables. One laying down, while the other two ate. Towards the back of the barn was a large metal cage. The bars of the cage worn and the floor covered in scratch marks and blood stains.

Eri approaches the cage door with the keys in hand. He unlockes it, pulling the door open once more. Eija stands on the other side of the door, watching as his dad leads the three dwarves inside.

"Heres the deal, my boys and I, we begin our hunt at dawn" he starts as he reaches for a large knife that hung from his belt. He starts by cutting the ropes around Ori, releasing the young dwarf from his bonds. "And take pride in my hunts"

Dwalin snorts when the man makes that statement. "Some pride ya got there"

Halldora choses to ignores Dwalin as he slices the ropes around Gloin. He motions to free Dwalin but has a change of heart as he shoves the dwarf out of his way as he exits the cage. He then takes the keys from his son as he closes the door, locking it.

Gloin and Ori both immediately move over to Dwalin as they start untying the ropes around their friend.

"As I was saying, I take pride in my hunts" Halldora repeats as he stares at the dwarves. "Tonight, you will be fed a proper feast and then tomorrow at dawn, you will be given a thirty minute head start. I suggest you take advantage of time."

"How generous of you" Dwalin spits out as the man talks. "And what are you teaching your wee ones? This ain't hunting, its just a pathetic game of tag!"

"I am teaching them the fundamentals" Halldora replies. "Be glad I don't put an arrow through that thick skull of yours now"

Halldora pockets the keys as he places a hand on each of his boys backs. "Come on" he says as he leads the two of them out of the barn.

As Halldora and his kids leave, Bilbo removes the ring from his finger. He stands just on the other side of the door. Ori sprinting to the door as he reaches his arms through the bars and pulls the hobbit into a hug.

"Thank Mahal you're here" the young dwarf exclaims, having never been so happy to see the hobbit.

Bilbo smiles as he acceps the embrace through the bars. He then placed a hand on Ori's head as he looks to him with a smile. "Everything is going to be ok, I promise"

Gloin approaches, standing beside Ori with a smile. "You going to break us out?"

"Actually" Bilbo says, trailing off a little.

"You're going to break us out...right?" Ori repeats with concer in his voice.

"No. Well, yes. Just not at this moment" Bilbo states trying to make sense of it all. "I heard that mans every word and he said you should take advantage of the time"

"Aye, we heard him" Gloin replies.

Dwalin crosses his arms as he listens to Bilbo. The hobbit looking as if he were onto something.

"First, you should really take advantage of this feast he has planned. All Bombur and I found was cheese and bread"

"Wait, you have Bombur?" Ori questions, perking up a little.

Bilbo nods.

"Hes laying low till dusk" Bilbo adds before continuing on. "So eat, get your strength up. Rest."

Bilbo pauses as he looks around the inside of the cage. It really wasn't the cosiest of places. Though there were a couple stacks of hay laying around that could be used for beds.

"Eat. Sleep. And trust me when I say Bombur and I will be ready in the morning."

Chapter Text

Just on the edge of the town is a large white building which belonged to Rigby which he had divided into three sections. The basement level which was his workshop, the main level which was his office and the upper level which was his home. Of all the people in the town, Rigby was the most quiet. Usually kept to himself and his studies, and on occasion, recommended different medicines, elixirs and other forms of healing to the townsfolk. To put it simply, he was a the towns healer, even though he did try to keep his interactions limited as he preferred the company of himself.

Rigby had brought the three dwarves with him down to the lower level oh his building. It's set up kind of appealing to Oin. One table in the room had several books scattered on it, one opened with notes and drawings scribbled all over it. Another table had beakers with various fluids in them and jars with different herbs, powders and other ingredients in them, as well as several tools messily placed. There were two filled bookcases against the back wall, with several more books just piled in front, mostly covered in dust. It was a room that clearly belonged to an introverted man of science.

"I didn't get your names" Rigby says as he casually unties the three dwarves.

"You never asked" Bofur replies as he blinks at the man with confusion.

"I didn't?" Rigby replies, nothing thinking much of it. "Ok well, I'm Rigby....I am the healer here, I guess...but lately I've been studying goblin anatomy"

The way Rigby spoke was unusual. The man was very laidback and uncaring, not in the sense that he wanted to hurt things, but rather his personality was indifferent to the world around him.

"Bofur!" Bofur replies holding out his hand to the man, not sure what the protocol was.

Holding his broken trumpet in one hand to listen to the conversation, Oin reaches out and smacks Bofur's hand down, shooting him a small glare as he shakes his head. "He's not our friend"

"I'm not your enemy either" Rigby replies with a slight shrug as he extends his hand out to Bofur.

Bofur pulls his hand back up and shakes hand with the towns healer. "So yea....I'm Bofur....thats Oin and the one with the Axe in his head is my cousin, Bifur" Bofur states as he lets go of the mans hand.

When Bofur mentions the Axe in the head, Rigby turns his attention to Bifur. He leans in curiously, observing the axe. Bifur tilts his head at the man as he mumbles something in Khuzdul.

"What did he say?" he trails off as he pokes the axe with his finger.

"He asked if it's ok to headbutt you now so we could leave"

Both Bifur and Oin look at Bofur with dumbfounded expressions as he directly translated what was said to the man they were sold to.

"What is wrong with you laddie?!" Oin exclaims as he just stares at the carefree dwarf.

"He asked me to translate, so I translated!" Bofur replies in his defense.

"How did this happen?" He casually asks as he places a hand on Bifurs back, gently leading the now confused dwarf to one of the many chairs in the room. "Take a seat"

Bifur looks at the chair, refusing to sit down. Bofur casually follows while Oin rolls his eyes, deciding to explore the workshop a little while their captor was distracted.

When Bifur speaks, Bofur of course translates. "He'd rather stand" Bofur says. "He also says it's none of your, I'm not repeating that word, business"

Oin wanders over to one of the bookshelves, looking over the many titles on the shelf. Most of the books about alchemy, herbs, anatomy of humans, elves, and other creatures. Mostly books he himself would use in his own practice. He takes a book from one of the many piles of stacked books and dusts off the cover as he casually flips through the pages. Inside filled with drawings of goblins with diagrams and notes about certain experiments that had been done. How they reacted to certain medical treatments. How they responded to isolation over long periods of time. Most of the experiments typical to the science world, even though some of them would be considered barbaric.

"I just want to help" Ribgy says calmly. To him, it didn't matter who the patient was, he took an oath to help others when he could and as far as he could tell, this Dwarf was lucky to be alive. Albold probably wanted him to dissect the dwarves and study them and all that fun stuff but what Rigby saw was a dwarf who was a medical miracle. Not to mention Oin, who was affected by hearing loss, which was common to creatures of all kind, with a broken trumpet. "When did this happen? Do you experience any pain? Headaches? Dizzyness?"

"I'm not going to tell him that" Bofur replies to Bifur who had just gotten over saying a few more choice words to Rigby.

"Well now I have to know..."

"I'd rather not" Bofur replies with a smirk on his face as Bifur continues to speak more profanities at the man. "Ok, Bifur, you made your point! He'd really rather not become one of your little science experiments and that you should shove an axe....well, you get the point"

"Science experiment?" Rigby repeats back with a laugh in his voice. "You've got the wrong idea"

Oin, catches the bit about Rigby talking about how they weren't science experiments and turns his attention to the man with the book in hand. "Then what are these books here?" He questions, holding it up as he approaches. "Looks to me like you've been experimenting on goblins"

"On Goblins, yes" Rigby replies calmly.

"And what are we Dwarves to you but another experiment?!" Oin suddenly accuses Rigby, suspicious that the man wanted to dissect them.

"Wait what?" Bofur looks to Oin when he speaks then back to Rigby as he takes a defensive stance with his hands in fists. "You're not dissecting anyone!"

Bifur takes a step away from Rigby, holding his own fists up as he readies himself to pounce. All the while, Rigby pinches the bridge of his nose as everything was taken out of context.

"I've been researching and experimenting on Goblins, yes, because there has been an influx of goblins in these parts through the years and I've been curious as to why. Figured the more we know and understand them, the easier it will be to protect ourselves from future attacks" Rigby replies as he takes the book from Oin, flipping through the pages, stopping on the notes with a graph of how their numbers of Orcs, Goblins and even trolls had increased over the years. Complete with predictions of future numbers. Notes about how they have been adapting to the world, how their cells might be mutating, all kinds of stuff that would look crazy to the outside world. "I've got neither the time nor the energy to begin new studies on Dwarves when there is already so much information out there already"

The three dwarves all stand there, still keeping their defenses up at the man.

"You three do realize, the door, it's right behind you" He says pointing to the door leading to the upstairs. "You could have walked out any time"

Bofur was the first to look behind him. He sees the door, still wide open with the stairs in sight. He shuffles back a couple steps before looking back to Rigby. "We....knew that....." He replies as he takes a couple shuffles backwards.

Bifur and Oin both drop their hands down as they actually just start walking towards the door, while Bofur holds his stance as he tries to intimidate the taller man. And just as they reach the door, Rigby finally speaks.

"Before you leave" He says calmly as he watches them without even trying to stop. He had brought them in to try and help and the reasoning behind the basement was so that he could work in secret. "At least let me take a look at the trumpet"

Oin removes his trumpet from his ear and examines it. It was still completely destroyed by the Goblins. It's shape flattened and warped from the rough handling. It still worked, kind of, but there was no denying that it would be nice to have it fixed or maybe even a new one.

"If I can't fix it, I probably have some parts laying around to make something...."

Bofur finally lowers his guard as he turns to his friends. The three dwarves huddling into a small group as they talk quietly. They bring up points of how Oin could use a new hearing device, how it will be helpful in a town like this. Then there was the point of what would happen if they just walked out into the town. And naturally while talking, Bofur's stomach started to growl, so there was the thought of how they could probably get a bit more than just a trumpet out of this.

Bofur steps out of the huddle, turning back to Rigby as he holds a hand up with one finger. "Here's the deal!" he starts firmly. "We'll let you take a look at the trumpet if you in return give us a good hearty meal"

"Sure" Rigby replies with a shrug, not thinking it was much a deal (as he really got nothing out of it) but more of a demand for food.

"And we aren't talking bread or green stuff" Bofur continues. "We want meat. Not orc meat. Not Goblin meat. Real meal like pork!"

Rigby arches a brow at the suggestion that he would eat Orc or goblin meat. Sure the butcher sold that stuff in the market but no one could pay him enough to try it. "....ok. No Goblin or Orc...." he replies just trying to appease the dwarves. "Anything else?"

Chapter Text

The first night for Fili was rough after the threat he had received from Hunter about his unwanted name change. Jessie had retreated to her room for the night, which is where Fili too would be staying. The room itself large with a massive queen sized plush bed. A vanity with an elegant mirror sat across from it, with perfume bottles, a brush and other items on the desk. There was a bookshelf filled with books, dolls and a couple toys. At the end of the bed on the floor was a large crate. It was the one that had belonged to the goblin that she had before Fili, it's size a little too small for the dwarf to stand in but at least had enough height and length for him to sit and lay down.

Fili lays on his side, his knees pulled into his chest with his arms, now free from the bonds, wrapped around his knees. He stares ahead of the dark room as he listens in on the girl snoring on the bed behind him. The only comfort in the cage being the plush blanket beneath him.

"Bingo! Wake up!"

"M..names....fili...." Fili mumbles as he rolls over in his sleep.

"Wake up!" Jessie takes a hold of the crate, violently shaking it.

Fili's eyes shoot open as his body jolts up in slight panic. He hits his head on the top of the crate as he had sat up too tall, slinking himself down as he places his hand on his head. The room now much brighter as he realizes he must have dozed off some point in the middle of the night.

"Silly Bingo....!" she then says with a giggle in her voice. "You need to be careful!"

Fili lets out a small groan as he finally becomes more awake and alert, realizing he was still in the crate. He looks to Jessie with tired eyes as she laughs at his misfortune with the crates small size. Not that he wanted to be in a crate. The young girl smiles brightly at Fili, holding a plate in her hand. On it some toast, eggs, bacon....actual real food.

"I brought you some breakfast!" She says as she reaches for the crates lock, unlocking the hinge and pulling the door open. She holds the plate of food out to Fili. Fili looks at the plate with hesitation, his stomach actually hurting from hunger. After a moment he reaches out and takes the plate from the girl. He adjusts himself so that he was now sitting cross legged while he shoves a piece of bacon into his mouth.

Jessie stares at him with a large grin on her face, completely fixated on the dwarf. Fili takes an awkward bite of the toast. Each chew taking longer than the last as he was starting to really feel uneasy with this child just watching him eat. He swallows, keeping his eyes on her, unsure whether he could continue to eat while this little psycho stared at him.

"Go on, eat up!" she insists as she reaches into the crate, placing a hand on Fili's head, giving him a pat.

"Don't touch me" he sudden exclaims as he bats the girls hand away from him with a glare.

Jessie pouts, crossing her arms. "That's not very nice, I give you a home, a bed and food..."

Fili just looks at the girl with a flat expression on his face. The food, that was something he could at least be thankful for but the rest? A home? A bed? If one could really call a blanket on the floor in the middle of a crate meant for dogs a bed. Fili's stomach growls again and he reluctantly takes a bit of the eggs, enjoying the bite but glaring at the child as she reaches in once more to pet him.

"Good boy!"

Once the plate was empty, Jessie takes the plate from the dwarf, setting it on the floor. Fili observes the room a moment. Ahead of him, Jessie, who was just a child and nothing else. The crate door was open and that was it. He notes the window by her bed, large enough for him to make an escape. Only problem being that it was the second floor of the house. A drop that could potentially hurt if not landed properly. But, a small sprain would be better than nothing.

"Come on Bingo!" Jessie says with a slight whistle in her voice as she slides herself back a few inches to allow Fili to crawl out. "It's ok! I want to play!"

Screw it. There was no way Fili was going to be able to put up with this any longer. Her parents weren't there so he was going to take advantage of the situation.

Fili gets on his hands and knees, making his way out of the crate. His eye practically twitching as the child whistles to him. As he passes through the crates door, Fili lunges himself forward. He shoves the child as hard as he could, something he would usually feel bad for doing, and jumps to the bed.

Jessie lets out a scream as she's shoved by the dwarf. She lands on her back with a loud thud as she starts to cry. "STOP!" she yells at the top of her lungs like the bratty child she was. She watches as Fili throws the window open, leaping out. Hunter and Cora both rushing into the bedroom with concern as their child cries.

"Whats wrong sweety?!" Cora questions as she rushes to her daughters side, crouching down to comfort the crying girl.

"Bingo escaped!" she whimpers as she points to the window.

"He's not going to get far" Hunter says firmly as he leaves the bedroom.

-----------

Fili hangs from the windowsill for a few seconds, taking a deep breath in before finally letting himself go. He drops to the ground below, his fall thankfully being cushioned by some bushes below the window. Fili emerges from the bushes with only a few scrapes from the branches. Quickly, he pulls himself out of the bushes and takes off running towards the trees ahead.

His heart races as he takes quick breaths in and out. Fili had no idea where he was going to run to but as long as he was away from that family, that was all that mattered.

It wasn't long before Fili could hear the angered voice of Hunter yelling through the forest behind their house. Fili trips over some rocks, almost losing his footing as he stumbles forward. He catches himself as he just pushes himself forward, the only thought on his mind this very moment was the one of freedom. A thought that was unfortunately very short lived as he failed to spot the trap laying ahead.

Fili's foot catches on a rope that stretched across the ground, buried in leaves. He trips forward, falling face first onto the ground. And before he could even move to pick himself up, he is scooped up into the air. Caught in a large net that suspended from a large tree branch above him. The four corners of the net tightening above Fili.

"No!" Fili exclaims in a panic as he swings in the net. "No! No!"

Fili pulls himself in the net, reaching to where the four corners met, trying to pry the top open. His panic growing stronger as he hears Hunter approaching him. His heart really pounding away at his chest as he was practically in tears trying to get out of the net.

"I should have mentioned that there are traps all over my property" Hunter states as he approaches Fili in the net with a dark smirk on his face. "Never know when a wild animal will wander onto my land...or try to run"

Fili's stomach starts to feel sick as he stops trying to escape the net, accepting defeat in this moment. His body slowly sliding down to the middle of the net as he swallows nervously, scared as to what Hunter was going to do to him.

----------

Fili screams out as he's dragged back into the house by Hunter. The man dragging Fili by the back of the shirt collar walking faster than the dwarf could keep up. His knees scraping along the ground ever few steps as he tries to get up.

Hunter drags Fili into the living room, throwing the prince into the middle of the floor. Fili lands on his stomach, eyes widened as he watches Hunter approach the fireplace. He takes one of the iron pokers, placing in the fire as he goes back to Fili who was slowly trying to back away from him, grabbing the dwarf by the ankles.

"I warned you about hurting my little girl" he yells out, his voice alerting Jessie and Cora from the upstairs that they were back. He pulls tightly on Fili's boots while the dwarf struggles against him.

"I'm sorry!" Fili replies with fear in his voice as his boots are pulled off his feet. The moment they came off, Fili pulls himself forward, trying to crawl away from the angered man. "I-I won't do it again!"

Jessie comes running down the stairs, stopping in the doorway as she wipes her tears away. "BINGO IS HOME" She exclaims as she dives down to Fili, wrapping her arms around his head. "That was very bad!" She then states as she pulls away from Fili, pouting at the obviously terrified dwarf.

Fili starts to tremble as his ankles are grabbed once more and he is yanked closer to the flame.

"Don't worry sweety, daddy's going to make sure he never tries that again" Hunter says as he forces Fili to roll over on his back.

Filis eyes widen with complete terror as Hunter removes the socks from his feet, taking the red hot poker out of the flame. Fili pulls his left foot free from Hunter, using it to kick the larger man away from him and freeing his right foot.

Fili then rolls himself back onto his stomach as he tries to pull himself up.

Jessie frowns as she places her hands on Fili's shoulders, pushing down on them as she tries to help her dad by restraining him.

"Its the only way you're going to learn" she says firmly as she stares at Fili. "It'll only hurt for a moment, right daddy?"

Fili looks at Jessie with pleading eyes as she crouches down in front of him. She gives a smile as she places her hand atop the dwarves head.

"Please...don't do this..." Fili begs.

As he speaks, his right foot is met with the red hot sizzling burn of the iron poker. Fili screams out in absolute agony, his eyes widen as tears start forming. His whole body trembling as the skin on the foot starting to smoke and melt around the hot poker than ran from his toes down to the heel. Fili's back arches as Hunter presses the poker harder into his foot, the scent of burning flesh filling the room as Jessie runs her fingers through Fili's hair, as if trying to calm the dwarf.

"Shhhhh" she says as her dad finally removing the poker from the bottom of Fili's right foot. The poker leaving behind a line of red, raw, bloodied and blistered skin down the center of his foot. Fili drops his head to what he wanted to be the floor but ended up being the lap of Jessie who continued to gently run a hand through his hair. Tears just flowing from Fili's eyes as he tries to breath through the burning pain.

"It's almost over"

For a brief moment, Fili thought that it was over, that he had paid the price for trying to escape but then she had to speak. In just a couple seconds, the same pain was met with his left foot. Fili's screams this time muffled by Jessies lap as she holds his head down, gently scratching the dwarf behind the ear. His hands balling into fists so tight that his nails start to dig deep into his palms. His eyes closed tightly as he does his best to breathe through the excruciating pain.

Hunter finally finished not only teaching Fili a lesson, but ensuring the Dwarf wouldn't be running away any time soon. He throws the porker back into its stand as he walks past his daughter, giving her a gentle pat on the head.

"He shouldn't try anything like that again, but if he does, just let me know"

"Thank you daddy!" Jessie says as she cradles Filis head in her arms as she rocks back and forth. "See, that wasn't so bad" she then says in a cheery voice to Fili as lays there in complete and total shock.

"Kili...." he cries out in a wimper as he just completely breaks down into tears, pulling his knees close to his chest as he lays there.

Chapter Text

If there anything half decent about Halldora, it was that his word about a feast was true. As much as Ori, Gloin and Dwalin hated the idea of being locked up in some cage like animals waiting to be slaughtered, the man knew how to give his victims a last meal. Having brought them a plethora of meats such as salted pork, chicken, cutlets, and fish as well as potatoes, carrots, a variety of cheese and bread. Enough to not only keep the dwarves happily fed, but if the managed to get out alive, they'd probably return to gather the leftovers.

Ori lays on the ground, his belly full as he just stares up at the ceiling of the barn through the cage bars. "Do we have a plan in case Bilbo doesn't show?" he asks quietly, not wanting to think Bilbo won't arrive but wanting to be prepared in case something goes awry.

"Bilbo will show" Gloin says, trying to keep the young dwarf on the optimistic side as he leans his back against the bars.

"And if he doesn't, we teach that hunter what happens when he messes with dwarves" Dwalin replies as he bites into a chicken leg with vigor.

-------

The sun had just begun to rise when Halldora returned to the barn with his two sons. The three of them all armed with a quiver on their backs and a bow in hands. Strapped to each of their waists was a small set of daggers and a larger sheath containing a sword inside. The three hunters ready to begin their game.

"Rise and shine" He says as he approaches the cage with the keys in hand. "Hope you're all well rested, I expect you three to give us a bit of a fight"

Ori yawns as he sits up, pieces of hay tangled into his hair. His groggy self snapping into a more awake state when he sees how armed Halldora and his kids were. Even if EIja was only seven, it was still intimidating to see him so heavily armed. Most Ori got at that age was a stick.

"Aye, and we hope you're ready" Dwalin states in a threatening tone as he walks towards the door, eyes locked on Halldora's. The two of them grinning as they stare down the other. Halldora instantly knowing that he was going to have a lot of fun with this particular dwarf.

"Come on, Laddie" Gloin states as he approaches Ori, helping the dwarf back to his feet.

Ori lets out a small sigh as he's helped up. His stomach churning as he had no real experience when it came to battle. Heck, he was the one running around with a slingshot in hand through most of the journey, some good that did against a warg!

"Don't we get a weapon to defend ourselves?" Ori questions as he and Gloin approach behind Dwalin.

Halldora looks to Ori when he speaks, holding back a laugh. His look saying more than enough to Ori. HIs eyes reading that they were not getting any weapons, which in a real hunt, the animals would rely on their instincts. Running when noises were heard, charging and attacking when threatened. He expected no different from the group. He places the key in the cages door, unlocking it and pulling open towards him.

Dwalin was the first to walk out, his eyes still locked on Halldora as he walked out. Gloin follows, with Ori keeping close behind him as he looks to the two children. The two of them grinning ear to ear as they make gestures about how they were going to kill the dwarves, making Ori all the more nervous.

"Your time has already started, I'd suggest running" Halldora says flatly as he pulls out an arrow from his quiver, firing a warning shot at Ori's feet.

The arrow just barely missing the dwarf who ended up pushing himself away from Gloin, going off into a sprint towards the woods.

"Ori! Wait!" Gloin calls out as he starts chasing after the younger dwarf.

As the two of them run off, Dwalin turns to face Halldora as he keeps walking backwards towards the barns exit. "You better watch yer back" he says in a threatening tone. "You have no idea who yer messin' with" .

On that final line, Dwalin turns back towards the way he was walking, going into a sprint behind Ori and Gloin. Their head start against the three hunters having just begun.

----------------

"Ori!" Gloin calls out as he pushes through the woods, having lost sight of the young one.

Gloin lets out a frustrated sigh as he slows his pace. He notices some unusual piles of leaves up ahead as he walks. He approaches with caution, stopping just in front of the pile, gently brushing away the leaves to uncover a rope beneath them. His eyes following the rope as it stretches out towards a nearby tree. The line snaking up the trunk to a net hanging up above with weights around the edges. Gloin rolls his eyes as he tugs on the rope, safely triggering the trap. He watches as the net drops from the tree before continuing on, knowing that there was probably more of these around.

Dwalin leaves Gloin on his search for Ori, deciding to take a more hands on approach to the situation. The dwarf wanting nothing more than to teach this human a lesson. Upon his arrival into the woods, Dwalin begins taking in his surroundings. Studying the area as he looks for vantage points. Noticing traps that were very poorly hidden and thinking about how he could use them. Figuring out how to turn the playing field against Halldora, even without weapons to aid him.

Ori comes to a stop in the woods, looking around frantically realizing what he had just done. He was suppose to stay close to Gloin and Dwalin but his nerves got the best of him, leaving him lost in the middle of an unfamiliar setting with nothing to defend himself. He takes in a slow breath as he tries to calm his panic. In through the nose, out through the mouth. He closes his eyes a moment, trying to listen for any signs of the others. That's when he hears it, a twig snapping behind him. Ori's eyes snap open as he throws himself around.

A squirrel sits before him, picking up an acorn off the ground before running off. Ori laughs at his mistake as he watches the squirrel take off. He lets out a small breath of relief as he takes a couple steps behind him. His foot stepping down to what he believed was solid ground beneath, only to trigger the pitfall. Ori falls backwards into the deep pit, letting out a loud yelp that echoed through the trees. The drop was quick as he landed on his back, letting out a groan as he sits himself up. He begins dusting the leaves off. "Gloin?!" He calls out as he stands up, looking up at where he had fallen, a good ten feet above him. "Dwalin?"

Ori starts to try and climb, his efforts proving useless as he is unable to get a grip as his fingers just sink into the dirt wall, leaving Ori with fists full of dirt as he slides back down the bottom of the pit. He paces around the pit with a huffed breath as he tries a new tactic: using the limited space at the bottom to get a running start as he tries to climb. Unfortunately, he is left with the same results as if he were just trying to climb on his own.

"Dwalin!" he yells out once more. "GLOIN!"

As he yells out, Ori hears twigs snapping from above. He runs towards the noise, reaching up in the hole. "Down here!" He calls out before realizing his mistake.

"I GOT ONE!" Eija calls out with glee as his brother runs over. Both boys looking down into the pit as Ori takes a step back.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Eri replies, elbowing his brother. "Shoot it!"

Eija grins as he removes an arrow from his quiver. He takes aim, the arrow shaking as Eija struggles with holding it steady. As he lets go of the string, the arrow just drops into the pit.

Ori, who was trying to hide behind his own arms peers out at the arrow that had fallen. He then looks back up at the boys. Clearly they weren't great hunters like their dad. At least not yet.

"What was that?! I said shoot him" Eri replies as he smacks his brother across the back of the head.

"Ow!" Eija replies as he shoves his brother back. "What was that for?!"

Eri shoves his baby brother again, the young boy pushed so hard that he stumbled backwards towards the pitfall. The child screaming as he falls backwards.

"Shi-" Eri doesn't even stick around to see if his brother is alright as he takes off running.

Eija lands at the bottom with a loud thud. His wrist snapping as he lands on it. He lets out a loud scream as he starts to cry.

"Its going to be ok" Ori says calmly as he tries to approach the child.

As Ori gets closer, Eija reaches for one of the knives strapped to his belt. He sits himself up, holding his broken arm close, tears falling from his eyes as he holds the small blade up.

Ori holds up his hands as he stops. "I don't want to hurt you" he says calmly as the child continues to cry. Ori takes another step closer as he places a hand over the knife, gently removing it from the boy. He then crouches slightly as he holds out a calm hand, asking to take a look.

Eija sniffles as he holds out his right arm.

Ori gently places a hand under as he gently feels the area. The boy hisses through his teeth as its touched.

Ori takes the knife that the boy had dropped, using it to slice his tunic for some fabric. He then reaches for the arrow on the ground, snapping it over his knee. "This should help until you can see a real doctor" Ori says in a soothing voice as he uses the broken pieces of wood to split the wrist, tying the torn cloth around for support.

Eija nods as he wipes his tears with his sleeve.

"Everything alright down there?" A voice calls down. Ori looks behind him with a confused look on his face, as he knew the voice, but it didn't belong to anyone who was currently at the farm or in the woods.

Bombur peers over the edge of the as he waves to Ori. Suddenly, a net is dropped over the edge of the pit, handing there to be used like a ladder. Ori grins as he stands back up, making his way to the ladder.

"Come o-" Ori stops. A sharp pain shooting through his back as he realized that the child had come at him with the knife.

Ori turns as the blade is removed, the child just as shocked as he was for having stabbed the dwarf.

"I-I....i-m sorry!" Eija says immediately dropping the knife. The boy being taught that this was all going to be fun. That hunting would make him a great man. Instead, he just felt guilt for having stabbed something that had just gone out of his way to help.

Ori gives a faint smile as he takes in a deep breath, dropping to his knees and then to his stomach.

Eija begins crying more as he starts trying to shake Ori awake. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have done that!"

Up top, Bombur secures parts of the net around the stump of a tree before just allowing himself to slide down into the pit as hastily as possible.

"It'll be ok!" Bombur exclaims as he lands at the bottom, immediately moving towards Ori. Eija steps aside as Bombur rolls Ori onto his back. He holds his hand over his mouth, letting out a sigh of relief as Ori was still breathing. Carefully Bombur lifts the smaller dwarf on onto his shoulder. He reaches for the net as he starts to climb.

"Wait..." Eija asks in a quiet voice. Bombur stops, looking to the boy. "You're not going to leave me down here, are you?"

Bomber half considered it but this was just a child and he could never be so cruel. He shakes his head. "Of course not...get on my back" Bofur replies, stepping down to allow the injured boy on, knowing he probably wouldn't be able to get out on his own.

Eija climbs onto Bofurs back, holding on tightly with his one good arm. The larger drawf then begins climbing, each step a struggle under the weight of two people, but like a stubborn person who refuses to take multiple trips with groceries, he forces himself to continue until her, Ori and Eija were up top.

Eija jumps off of Bomburs back as Bombur carefully lays Ori down.

"Is he going to be ok?" Eija asks, still feeling guilty for doing it.

--------‐--------

Gloin hears a bunch of bushes and trees rustling not far off from the right. He cautiously approaches a tree, leaning against it as he watches the older boy, Eir, running as fast as he could in a panic. He arches a brow as he watches the boy come to a sudden stop to catch his breath. Carefully, Gloin starts making his way towards the boy, his father instinct wanting to see what was wrong. Considering that when this had started the boy was so confident and eager to hunt and now he was running away.

"Are you hurt?" Gloin calls out with concern as he slowly approaches, holding his arms up as a way to show he meant to harm to the boy.

Eri jumps up straight as he hears the dwarf coming to him. His eyes wide as he pulls out an arrow, pulling back on the string of his bow as it takes aim. "Stand back!" he exclaims, trying to hide the fear that he was pretty sure he had just killed his brother. He lets the arrow fly. It zips past Gloin's head as he stops in his step, the dwarf showing no fear.

"I don't want to fight you" he says in a calm voice, hoping that maybe he could knock some sense into this boy before his father arrived.

Eri takes in a deep breath as he pulls out another arrow. He slowly lets the breath out as he steadies his arm. "I was hoping you'd be more fun" he replies in response to the comment about fighting.

"I don't think this is what you want" Gloin replies, sensing that something was off. The panic, the sudden change in mood.

"I want to be a great hunter like my dad!" He exclaims back to the dwarf, pulling back more on the string.

"Your father is no hunter" Gloin replies with a frown. "At least no where near a great one"

"LIAR!" Eri yells out.

Just as he was about to release the arrow, Eri's arm holding the bow is knocked off center. The arrow releasing up into the air just to the left of Gloin. Eri looks around confused as there was nothing around him that would have knocked him off target. Then suddenly, he stumbles forward as the strap on his quiver is sliced, the arrows all falling to the ground. Eri lets out a panicked scream as he drops his bow, reaching for the sheathed sword hanging from his belt. "Who is there?!" He calls out as he turns away from Gloin, who watches the scene with a little confusion himself.

Eri unsheathes the sword as he turns around in a frantic circle. "Eija?" he calls out, wondering if his brother was maybe getting revenge or something for pushing him into the pit. His mind truly believing that his brother did not survive the drop. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do it!"

A loud 'clink' echoes across the forest as the sword is thrown from Eri's hands. His eyes widened in terror as he lets out a yell, going into a run. He pushes himself past Gloin, taking off. Gloin watches as the boy takes off before turning back to where he had just been fighting an invisible force. Suddenly, Bilbo appears, laughing to himself as he had not expected that kind of reaction. Gloin couldn't help but chuckle as well before coming to a stop.

"Was startin' to wonder if you were going to show up!" Gloin says as he approaches Bilbo, pulling the hobbit into a hug.

"Sorry, had a little horse trouble...." Bilbo replies with a small nervous laugh, as he and Bombur did in fact have a few issues trying to control a fully grown horse when the two of them were built for ponies.

"Any idea on where Ori or Dwalin got off to?"

-----------------

Dawlin had managed to arm himself with a stick he managed to sharpen with a stick. The larger dwarf's guard up as he cautiously walked through the forest with a grin on his face. "Where are ye...." he calls out, trying to lure Halldora out into the open.

An arrow zips by Dwalin's head, it's sharp point creating a nice clean slice though his cheek as it passes by, piercing a tree. Dwalin smirks as he turns around, his eyes meeting with the hunter. "About time you come out of hiding!"

"I can't tell if you're brave or just stupid" Halldora replies as he decides to drop the bow, drawing his sword from his belt.

"Probably a bit of both" Dwalin replies with a wild grin on his face, accepting the self-burn he had just given himself. His mind telling him that if Thorin could defend himself against the pale orc with a large piece of oak, that he could probably take on this human with a sharpened stick. Even if the odds were stacked against him, he was going to ensure that he put on one hell of a fight.

Halldora holds the blade up as he rushes towards Dwalin. He slices the blade down as Dwalin ducks under it, as he thrusts his stick forwards towards the mans gut. Halldora deflects the strike with the sword as he steps himself off center. The blade hacking into the stick before finally slicing through it. The stick splinters into several pieces as Dwalin tosses the part he was still holding onto away. He cracks his knuckles as he stares down the man. So the stick wasn't the best idea but there was no way he was finished. He mapped out this area. He saw where the traps lay. All he needed to do was last long enough to try and outsmart Halldora.

Halldora lunges at Dwalin again. Dwalin takes a tight grip of the mans arm as he pulls the human towards him, tossing him forward. Halldora stumbles while Dwalin then turns himself around, kicking his foot into the mans lower back. Dwalin lets out a small cheer as Halldora crashes into a tree.

Halldora lets out a growl as he reaches to one of the smaller daggers from the belt, removing one with his freehand and immediately throwing it at Dwalin as he turns around. The blade throws Dwalin off, nailing him right in the left shoulder. He lets out a small hiss as he grabs the blade with his right hand. With one mighty yank, he removes the blade. "Thanks!" He says as he holds out his new weapon. It wasn't much but it was better than nothing.

Dwalin charges at Halldora this time, swinging the dagger as if it was a sword as he tries to strike the taller man. Halldora laughs as Dwalin continues to try and use the dagger as if it was a sword. The man easily deflecting the strikes as he is pushed backwards. Dwalin smirks as he pulls his arm back, thrusting the blade forward, towards Halldora gut.

Halldora takes a small leap backwards, landing right where Dwalin wanted him. The man is scooped up into a net, disappearing from the ground and brought into the air. Ensnared in one of his own traps. Dwalin looks up with a wide grin on his face as he points to the man with the dagger in his hand. Halldora rolls his eyes as he holds up his own sword. He begins cutting through the ropes until they finally give way, allowing the man to drop.

"Didn't plan on that" Dwalin mumbles as Halldora drops back down to the fight. And now that Dwalin had managed to lead him into one trap, Halldora became a little more aware as to what Dwalin was doing. He would now allow the dwarf to fool him again. After all, this was his terrain.

Halldora charges at Dwalin once again, this time tackling the dwarf to the ground. Dwalin lands on his back, holding the dagger just above his face as he presses back against Halldora's blade. As the dagger slips, Dwalin turns his head to the right, just barely avoiding getting stabbed by the sword. Dwalin pulls his legs in, kicking Halldora off of him as he rolls back to his feet, readying himself for another strike.

"DAD!"

Halldora's attention turns away from Dwalin for a moment as he hears his son calling him. Dwalin stands his ground but choses not to attack as the mans child was not apart of this fight.

Eri wraps his arms around his dad with tears forming down his face. "Eija....he....he...."

Halldora crouches down "Stop crying and tell me what is wrong!" he firmly demands of his son. "Crying is a form of weakness!"

"Eija is dead!" He blurts out, without giving any context as to what had happened.

"What?! Are you sure?"

Eri nods as he wipes his hands with his sleeve. "He had that scrawny dwarf cornered...."

Halldora lets out an angered breath as he turns his attention back to Dwalin, not even allowing his son to finish. All he had to say was that one of the dwarves was involved. He points his sword at Dwalin as he takes large threatening steps towards the dwarf. "I'm done playing" he states firmly as he finally lunges at Dwalin, thrusting the blade at him.

The sword catches Dwalin's left arm, cutting him as he dodges.

"You're the ones suppose to die!" Halldora exclaims as he brings the sword up, slicing it down catching Dwalin across the chest, knocking the dwarf back a few feet. Dwalin stumbles, landing on his back. Halldora leaps atop of him, pinning the dwarf down with his knees as he holds the sword up in the air, preparing for a lethal strike.

"STOP!"

Halldora had already begun bringing the sword down, just as Dwalin was thrusting his dagger up. Distracted, the sword pierces through Dwalin's injured shoulder again. Halldora's eyes go wide as he gasps for air, the dagger in Dwalin's hand having pierced his chest. He looks down as he lets go of his sword, dropping to the side off of the dwarf and onto the ground.

Eija comes running through the bushes, with Bombur walking behind him carrying Ori on his back.

"Eija?"

Eija pushes himself past Dwalin, practically diving onto his dad as he sees the dagger sticking out of his chest. "Dad?!" He had been so scared. His brother abandoning him, leaving him with the dwarves who actually were nothing like what his father had described. That dwarves were greedy creatures that preyed on the weak.

Dwalin pulls himself up and rips the sword from his shoulder, dropping it to the ground. He then slides away a little as he holds his shoulder, wincing as he takes slow breaths in to control the pain shooting down his arm.

Eri goes pale, feeling sick as he watches his little brother clinging to his dad. "Eija....but you...you were dead....I saw!" Eri finds himself unable to move, his body trembling as he comes to realize what he had just caused. He stares at his brother holding his dad's limp body, remembering his fathers words to him about how men didn't cry. Words that he was trying his best to live by in this moment.

Eija ignores his brother as he tries to shake his dad awake. "Dad?! Wake up! Please!"

Dwalin slowly crawls over to Eija and his dad. He places a hand on the boys shoulder as he places a hand over Halldora's neck as he feels for a pulse. He frowns as he can't find anything. Not even a breath from the mans lips. He wasn't intending to go for a fatal strike, everything just happened so quickly as he was trying to defend himself. "I'm sorry" Dwalin says, feeling awful for the boys. Even if their father was a lunatic, he was still their father.

Bilbo and Gloin hear the voice of the young boy calling out to his dad. The two of them making their way through the woods until they had finally met up with the others. Both of them stopping when they see the youngest of the two boys cradling his dead father and the oldest struggling to show now emotion, unable to even move.

Dwalin stands himself up, unsure what to say or do at this point. He makes his way over to Bombur, as he lets out a faint smile to the bigger dwarf. He breathes through the sharp pain he feels through his shoulder as he looks over Ori. The young dwarf still breathing but growing pale as he hangs off the larger dwarfs back.

"We should go" Dwalin says in a flat tone, hiding his own worry for Ori as he didn't look to good.

Bombur gives a nod in agreement as Bilbo and Gloin approach.

"What about them?" Bilbo questions with a slight frown on his face.

From what Gloin, Ori and Dwalin could tell, it was just the two boys and their father. There didn't seem to be any sign of a mother or anyone else on that farm that they were aware of.

"Take Ori back to the farm, there's bound to be some medical supplies there" Gloin says as he keeps his eyes on the two boys. Watching as Eri finally makes his way over to his younger brother, allowing himself to cry. "I'll be right behind ya, I promise"

Chapter Text

"Kili, I know you're worried, we all are" Balin says in a calm comforting voice as he stares at the lost dwarf in the cell on the other side. "But what would Fili say if he saw you like this?"

Kili lets out a small sigh as he shifts himself against the bars, pulling his knees up into his chest. "He's not here, so why does that matter?"

Balin frowns at Kili's response. He knew the boys were inseparable but he also knew that they were strong. "Fili wouldn't want you to give in so easily" Balin states, having known the boys since they were wee lads. "Fili would want you to keep fighting to the very end, just as you would want the same for him"

Nori stands up in his cell, pacing around his cell as he listens. A part of him was actually annoyed with Kili at this point. Kili wasn't the only one who had lost his brother. He had lost both Ori and Dori to two completely different people, not to mention the one who had taken Ori had made his intentions clear. By this point he didn't even know if Ori alright or even alive, even if Dwalin with with him.

Thorin takes in a breath as he listens in. "I failed all of you" he states with a tired voice. It was the first thing he had said since this had all happened. The way Fili was treated when he was snatched up immediately by that woman. How Bofur was trying his best to keep a brave face on while keeping close to his brother. One by one, their numbers had dwindled and there wasn't even a sign of Bilbo. From what he could tell, the hobbit had fled. His doubts becoming a reality.

"Thorin, you have no failed us" Balin replies in a firm tone as he turns his attention to his king. "Not while there is still something to fight for"

"And what is left?" Thorin exclaims with a tremble in his voice. "There is no sign of the hobbit! We don't know where the others are! If they're even alive!"

Nori's eye starts to twitch a he hears the negative talk between Kili and the King. This was normally where Bofur would step in and start pointing out the positives, giving a speech to try and raise everyone's spirits. Didn't matter the situation, if you were down, Bofur knew just what to say. But Bofur wasn't here. He was off somewhere doing who knows what.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Nori suddenly yells as his voice echoes through the room, drawing the attention of Balin, Thorin and Kili. His face actually serious as he channels his inner Bofur to try and take an optimistic approach. "Ori, Dori, Dwalin, Fili, the others, they're all out there and as far as I am concerned, they're alive and doing everything they can to survive!" He takes a moment to pause before looking to Kili. "Kili, Fili did not raise you to give up so easily! He raised you to be a strong warrior who never runs from a fight. Your brother isn't with you at this very moment? So what! Neither are my brothers! But I'm not going to sit around and cry about it. No, because I know that Ori and Dori are fighting, just like I am going to do. Even if it takes forever, I will find them because despite all the trouble I have caused through the years, they refused to give up on me, just like I refuse to do so on them." His words were firm and powerful.

Kili was actually thrown off by this sudden speech as Nori usually liked to draw a little attention to himself as possible. Usually because he would be trying to steal something and he didn't want to get caught. Kili stares at the dwarf, giving a slight somewhat frightened nod of the head as Nori looked as though he was ready to pounce. He was right though, Fili didn't raise him to be a coward. To cry the moment something went wrong. Separated or not, Fili was a strong dwarf who would be disappointed in Kili if he could see his brother right now.

After a quick breath, Nori turns his attention to Thorin. "And you! You have not failed anyone! We all signed up for this quest knowing there would be dangers! Did we know what dangers lay ahead? No. But we still followed you because we believed in you. We could have left after the incident with the Trolls. Azog. Goblin Town. The Spiders of Mirkwood. The elves-"

"I get it!" Thorin replies as Nori lists each and everything that had gone wrong on their quest so far.

"My point is, we still followed you! Even after all that bad stuff. And even after we figure this one out, we will probably still continue to the mountain because we believe in this quest just as much as you do" Well, Nori believed in the treasure the quest would bring as that was his initial motive but the whole idea of reclaiming their homeland was growing on him. Life was about creating legacies and because of Thorin, each and every one of the dwarfs in this company was going to live on forever in tales. "I might have joined because I was more interested in other things....."

"what?" Thorin questions as he trails off a little.

"It doesn't matter! What matters is because of you and this company, I have learned that just because things get hard, you don't run away. You turn and face them. You fight until the bitter end, and even when it looks like it's over, you just keep fighting!"

Nori finally stops, taking in a deep breath and slowly letting it out. It was probably the most he had said on this entire quest. And while his inner Bofur was probably a little more blunt and to the point than what the actual bofur would say, it had to be said.

Balin licks his lips a moment as he tries to think of something to say to Nori, his mind going blank as he was actually impressed with the dwarf. He gives him a smirk before looking back to Thorin and Kili. The two dwarves actually looking as if his words might have gotten through to them. Thorin looks as though he is about to speak but then suddenly, the door from the top of the stairs is thrown open and several footsteps are heard coming down the stairs.

"If you had come sooner, there was a much larger selection" Albold says casually as he leads an older gentleman down the stairs. His posture perfect as he wore a grey suit with a red vest. His shoes black with gold tips to them. Another customer that clearly comes from wealth, just based on how he presented himself. His name was Garett. And of course, behind them, Tomlin and Blane, who waited by Albold's desk for instructions.

He stops in front of Thorin's cell, eyeing the dwarf, who in turn shot a glare back to him.

"This one is unfortunately not for sale, yet" Albold says as he steps beside his client, looking in at Thorin with a grin on his face.

"May I ask why? Is he defective?"

"Excuse me!?" Thorin lets out with an insulted tone when the man refers to him as 'defective'. Though he did find it odd that of all the dwarves here, he was not selected. Not that he wanted to be, nor any of his company for that matter.

"This one is special" Albold replies as he reaches through the bars, taking Thorin's chin into his hand. He pulls the dwarf closer to the bars as he looks to Garett. "Thorin Oakenshield. A dwarf that is already being sought out by many. He's going to make me richer than I could ever dream."

Thorin pulls his head away from Albold as he speaks, the dwarf king shooting him a look of absolute disgust.

Garett smirks as Albold speaks. "I look forward to the auction then"

The two men walk down the room. There was only three dwarves left to choose from. Balin, Nori and Fili. He looks between the three of them with a cocked brow. He looks to Balin and then to Nori with a slight shrug. The two of them leaving much to be desired. But maybe after a bath, new clothes and proper training they would be suited to serve in his home. And then there was Kili. His features similar to Thorin. While in need of a bath, was much easier on the eyes. A dwarf like Kili would certainly help boost his status.

"Just give me the last three" he finally says with a shrug as he really wasn't sure which to bring home as his wife just sent him out with instructions of getting a dwarf or two. He figured worst case, he got two new servants for the house and a personal servant for his wife. Guaranteed to get him points.

-------------

As usual, Tomlin and Blane step in to handle the dwarves. Starting with Balin, whom they had decided was the weakest and least likely to fight back, securing him tightly before moving onto Kili, knowing or at least believing that the dwarf had no fight left in him.

Kili takes a small step back from the cell door as it is opened. He watches as Tomlin opens the door, taking in a slow breath as he does so. The words that Nori had spoken to him still sitting in the forefront of his mind. How Fili was still out there. How Fili would be expecting Kili to keep fighting, even if he wasn't there.

Kili takes a note from Bifur's book, charging at Tomlin the moment the door is wide enough. The sudden burst of energy from the dwarf throwing the large man off guard as he is shoved back, losing his footing as he crashes into Nori's cell. Nori grins as he watches Kili choose to fight.

Unlike Bifur who had taken the time to try and fight without his arms, Kili decides to just make a break for it. He pushes himself past Blane who had positioned himself in the middle of the hallway. The force of Kili's tackle knocking the man into Thorin's cell.

"GO KILI!" Thorin finds himself yelling as he encourages his nephew to make a break for it. The dwarf king finding himself feeling a bit more confident after the surprising lecture from Nori. He smirks as the man is shoved into his cells bars. And as the man goes to move after his nephew at the stairs, Thorin decides to extend his foot through the bars, catching Blane's leg as the man goes to run, causing him to trip and fall face first onto the ground. Blane grows with annoyance as he pulls himself back to his feet, deciding he would get Thorin back for that later.

Thorin smirks as the man goes down as it was nice seeing these people get what was coming to them, no matter how small the action was. "Come on Kili...." he then says to himself quietly as he looks to the stairs, the dwarf prince already at the top as he makes a break for it.

Albold stands up from the desk furiously as two of his best men allowed one dwarf, who was bound, outsmart them. "You two just finish up here" He scowls with impatience.

---------------------

On the main floor of the house, four of the men were lazing about. One was over by the fire, holding his hands over it as he warmed himself up, another was on a cot just curled up in the blankets, while like last time, two of them sat at a table with a game between them. Both of them thinking long and hard as to what their next move was. None of them expecting a dwarf to come bursting up the stairs.

Kili stumbles up the final step as he focuses on the door. Glad, that if he remembered correctly, the front door had to be pulled to enter, so all he would have to do to exit was push. So, without even questioning it, Kili continues his run forward. He thrusts his shoulder into the door as he throws it wide open. The warm breeze welcoming him as he enters into the sunlight. The positioning of the sun placing them at just a little past noon.

He takes a second to look left, then right as he decides which way to go. Thats when he hears it.

"Kili! This way!"

Bilbo had been on his way back to Albolds place. The hobbit worried that he might have been too late to intercept another Dwarf, but in turn, his timing was perfect. He was less than a block away when he had watched the dwarf throw the door open, so naturally, he sprinted towards the dwarf, removing the ring as he does.

Bilbo gestures Kili towards the alleyway where he had hidden the first night and as he was told, Kili makes a right onto the street followed by another right into the ally. Bilbo follows right behind him, removing his sword as he does so. "Hold still" he quietly orders as he starts cutting the ropes around Kili's wrists.

"Where have you been?" Kili huffs as he hears the yells of men emerging from the building.

"You know, around" Bilbo says as he finally slices through the ropes. "But we can talk about that later"

Kili lets out a sigh of relief as his hands drop to his side. His numb fingers finally starting to get some feeling back as he brings his hands to his front and gently massages his rope burned wrists. An injury no doubt all the of the dwarves were going to be sharing.

"Spread out!" a voice commends.

"Get down!" Bilbo huffs as he shoves Kili against the wall, the two of them crouching behind some crates. They watch as a couple men run past the alley.

Kili could feel his heart racing in his chest, the adrenalin flowing through him as he had gotten much further than he had expected. And the fact that he had run into Bilbo was nothing short of a miracle. The two of them peer out from behind the crate. Both of them neglecting the fact that the alley opened up at two ends as Kili was yanked from his crouched position by the back of his tunics collar.

Kili yelps with surprise as he is picked up to his feet and roughly tossed to the ground behind. He lands with a thud as his body crashes against the rocks, his head hitting the brick wall of the building pretty hard. He winces as he places a hand on his head, his vision doubling as he tries to focus on the scene in front of him, the world starting to spin. Suddenly, another man grabs Kili from under the arms, ripping the dwarf from the ground. He holds the dwarf tightly from behind as his arms wrap around Kili's shoulders. The sudden jolting movement causing Kili to feel even more dizzy as everythjng starts to fade. Kili finally drops his head, blacking out.

"Kili!" Bilbo exclaims as he hears the Dwarf tossed to the side. He jumps up to his feet, holding sting out in his hands as he notices the tall man that had snagged the dwarf by the back.

"I knew you'd come around sooner or later" Albold hisses through his teeth with delight as he stares down at the halfling. Bilbo takes a step backwards, stepping right into yet another one of his men. The man reaching down and taking the halfling by the wrists. Bilbo's eyes widen as the man tightens his hold on his wrists, pulling his right hand off of the hilt of the sword and twisting his left hand until his hand finally let go of the blade. Sting lands on the ground with a small 'ting' and Albold immediately picks up the small blade. He holds it up as he examines it. "I didn't know elves made accessories for halflings" he says calmly, as if Bilbo were a toy and his sword was a bonus piece he came with.

"You're not going to get away with this" Bilbo scowls in a low voice as he tries to twist his wrists out of the mans grip behind him.

"Oh, I think I already have" Albold replies calmly with a light twisted smile on his face as he looks down on the halfling. Almost finding the angry halfling more charming than threatening. He crouches down to Bilbo's level, looking at the hobbit in the eyes as he speaks. "I think you're going to make me a lot of money, maybe even more than Oakenshield" he says as he places a finger on Bilbo's nose, giving him a small 'boop' before standing back up. The man holding Bilbo dragging the hobbit out of the alleyway, closely followed by the other man, dragging the unconscious Kili behind him.

Chapter Text

Dori sits in the middle of Logans bedroom, his legs crossed as Logan pushes the little wooden boat across the carpet. The young boy giggling to himself as Dori picks up one of the horses to join in his game. The child's smile infectious as Dori couldn't help but smile along with him. Logans bright eyes reminding him of a time when Ori was his age. A time when Ori was so young and innocent. When the only thing Dori had to worry about was what he was going to make his brother for lunch.

"Does the horse have a name?" Dori questions as he holds the white and brown painted horse up.

Logan shakes his head. "No-uh" he replies as he puts the boat down, staring at the dwarf. "You should name him!"

Dori chuckles when the boy suggests he name the horse. "Why me?"

Logan shrugs as he's asked why. He rocks a little in his seated position as he continues to look at Dori.

"Ok, how about Fár" Dori suggests as he holds the horse out to the boy.

"What's that mean?" Logan questions as he tilts his head a little, taking the horse into his small hand as he examines it.

"It's a dwarven name" Dori replies with a soft smiles. "Means caretaker"

"Caretaker? That's a funny name to give a horse!" Logan giggles as he places the horse on the floor, making it walk with his hand.

"I suppose it is" Dori replies, still smiling at the young boy, actually enjoying the time he was spending with him.

---------

Siegfried had made an agreement with the dwarf the day he had arrived to their home. He had promised the dwarf that he would find out where his brother Ori was to help give the dwarf peace of mind that his brother was safe until they could be reunited. As well as his brother Nori, but he was sure no matter where Nori ended up, he would find a way to swindle his way out. Siegfried had even promised that if Ori was still at Albolds, he would see what he could do about bringing the younger dwarf back with him.

Keeping true to his promise Siegfried had managed to talk his wife into returning to Albold's, even if the man made her uncomfortable. But a promise was a promise. So later into the afternoon, once Melody had finished her chores, the couple made their way back to Albolds.

The couple quietly enter into the building, making their way down the stairs. They had just missed chaos that Kili had created by just a few minuets, as things had finally settled down by the time they reached the bottom.

Albold was just finishing up his paperwork with Garett. Two of the dwarves, Nori and Balin bound and ready to leave by leash, while Kili was wrapped up tightly from his arms to his legs, hanging over Tomlin's shoulder. None of the men taking any chances in case Kili had woken up. The older gentleman still wanting Kili, despite the flight risk he posed. A habit he had stated 'will be broken very quickly' if the dwarf were to try anything like that in his home. Both Melody and Siegfried recognized the older gentleman. There wasn't a person in the town who didn't know who he was as he and his wife, Aslinn, were one of the wealthiest couples in the town. A snobby pair who looked down on others whose wealth did not match theirs. People that Melody and Siegfried would never associate with, even if they fit in with their high societal ways.

Melody notes the three dwarves that Garett walks away with as he leaves the room. While she did not know their names, she could at least describe them to Dori upon returning. Melody's eyes following Kili as she watches the dwarf be carried off with concern, hoping that the dwarf would be alright.

"Siegfried!" Albold calls out as he stands up from his desk. Albold comes around, taking the mans hand into his as he welcomes him.

"Afternoon" Siegfried replies as he takes the mans hand in his, giving him a firm handshake.

"And Melody"

Melody snaps her attention back to Albold as he takes her hand, giving a more gentle shake before giving it a kiss.

"Your dwarf isn't causing you problems, is he?" He immediately questions as he lets go of Melody's hand.

"No, he's not" Siegfried replies.

"He's actually perfect" Melody replies as she gives a polite smile to Albold. "He's watching Logan right now"

Albold was taken back by the comment about how they had left their new purchase alone with their child. "Are you sure that is wise?" he questions, knowing that most of these dwarves would probably make a run for it the moment they were left alone. "You at least have him chained or something so he doesn't run, right?"

Melody shakes her head when he mentions the idea of chaining the dwarf up. Dori of all dwarves. It was true that they kind of aided in his business but they had clicked with the dwarf almost immediately. They had come to a mutual agreement to help each other out any way they can. "No, he's actually perfect. Well mannered. Well spoken. Logan loves him!"

"Well, if hes so well behaved, what can I do for you?"

"We were hoping to get another dwarf, the young one! We were thinking he would be a good playmate for Logan, seeing that he doesn't get out to play with kids his age."

"My apologies, but all the dwarves have been spoken for" Albold replies with a fake frown on his face. "but I can keep you in mind if I ever come across some more"

"Any way you can tell me who bought the young dwarf? Maybe I can try and convince him to sell it to me?"

"I'm sorry dear, confidentiality" Albold replies. "I doubt you'd like it if someone came knocking on your door asking for your property"

While his wife speaks with Albold, Siegfried walks down towards Thorin's cell. The dwarf King, the only dwarf left, as Albold had plans to sell him to the highest bidder, believing that he will make so much more money that way. "You have a dwarf right here" Siegfried calls out when he says they were all spoken for.

"He's on hold."

"I see" Siegfried replies, trailing off a little. He then looks to the cell beside Thorin. A new creature inside that was not there before. An idea comes over Siegfried as he looks over to Albold. "What is this creature?" he questions, calling Albold away from his wife.

"Ah, the hobbit!" Albold states with a hint of glee in his voice as he leaves Melody alone to go talk to her husband about his newest catch. Siegfried shooting a look to his wife as he gives a small gesture with his head towards Albold's desk. Melody smirks at her husband as she practically reads his mind.

"Hobbit?" Siegfried questions. "I'm not familiar with hobbits..."

Albold places a hand across Siegfried's shoulders as he looks in the cell.

Inside, Bilbo is sitting against the back wall, his hands bound behind his back, with extra rope around his shoulders as he was a feisty little thing. His legs sit extended out, with his large feet resting in front of him. He takes in a deep breath as he stares at the two men with an unamused look on his face. He had only been in this cell less than an hour and he was done with Albold and all these humans.

"You probably know them as halflings" Albold replies.

"...what is a halfling doing all the way out here?" Siegfried questions as he looks at Bilbo with a look that wasn't intimidating, but rather sympathetic. "He seems to be a little far from home"

"Apparently this was traveling with the dwarves" Albold answers with a light shrug.

"I've never heard of halflings traveling with dwarves before"

While Siegfried keeps Albold busy, Melody begins going through Albolds desk. She quietly opens a drawer and begins pulling the papers out. The top of the paper pile filled with the most recent records of who had made purchases from Albold, as well as how much they had paid. And while it didn't specify which dwarf was purchased by which person, it at least gave a list of who had purchased the dwarves the past few days. A helpful lead into not only finding out where Ori was, but all of Dori's other friends. She quickly looks at the first record. Of course it belonged to Garett who they already know made a purchase. So, she moves onto the next record. Halldora. One of Albolds worker who lived alone with his two boys on a farm just on the outskirts of town. The record stating that he too took three dwarves.

Thorin's eyes shift over to the woman as she goes through the desk. Though he was unsure what she was doing, he had a feeling that he needed to help keep Albolds attention on them. She seemed determined to know where Ori was, so there was no doubt in Thorin's mind that they were at the very least trying to help Dori reunite with his siblings.

"This halfling is Logans size...." Siegfried starts before getting cut off by Albold.

"Sorry, he's actually being held as well"

"Held for what? How much are they paying?"

Albold actually chuckles at the question about money. He knew these two didn't have much to their name. Heck, he knew they could barely afford the dwarf they bought. Part of him thought it was dumb for the parents to buy a dwarf rather than save it for their child but who was he to judge? As long as he got paid.

"Trust me, the halfling is going to be way out of your price range" Albold says as he starts to make his way back to the desk.

"I thought I was going to be making you the most money!" Thorin suddenly states, saying the first thing to come out of his mouth. Part of him dying a little inside for making such a comment. "You have in your company a king and yet you believe that halfling is going to make you a lot of gold?"

"Excuse you!" Bilbo retorts, not knowing what Thorin was even doing. The remake genuinely taking Bilbo by surprise. "I am not just any halfling!"

"Sorry, BURGLAR" Thorin replies in a sarcastic tone with emphasis on the 'burglar' as he looks to Bilbo, trying to give him a look that told him to play along with him.

"I am more than a burglar!" Bilbo replies as he acknowledges the look, unsure why they were doing this but playing along anyway. "Must I remind you that if it weren't for me, your journey would have ended a little over a days walk from the shire?!"

Albold stops in his steps, actually turning his attention to the dwarf with an amused look on his face as he watches him bicker with the halfling. Finally, he decides to join the argument.

"You do have a name that is known across this land, Thorin Oakenshield" Albold replies as he looks from Thorin to Bilbo. "But never have I seen a halfling come into these parts and who knows when we will see one pass through again. You're both rare treasures"

Melody finishes going through the names on the records. All of them people she knew or at least knew of. The most concerning name being Welles as she was very aware of what kind of business the man ran. His regular meats sold in his shop, while his more exotic meats were sold during the weekends at the market while supplies lasted. Rigby was also name she knew very well, as he actually lived a few blocks away from her. She had even gotten a few elixirs for Logan from Rigby to help when Logan broke out into fevers, though they were only a temporary fix as the medications he truly needed were not something easily obtained, which is why the medicine was so unaffordable. Placing the papers back in the desk, Melody makes her way back to the other side of the desk.

By the time Albold turns around, she is leaning on the desk, with her arms crossed as if she were waiting impatiently for her husband.

"Are you finished talking dear?" She asks to her husband with a light smirk on her face as he lets out a nervous breath, afraid she wasn't finished. His heart worried about her getting caught snooping in the desk. "Logan is probably wanting his dinner"

Chapter Text

Melody and Siegfried had returned home after gathering what information they could about Dori's brother and friends.

Upon returning home, they find Dori running around the room with Logan on his back. The young boy giggling loudly holding his toy horse in his hand as Dori 'galloped' around the room. A game he used to play with Ori when Ori was just a wee lad. It was actually nice to see the two of them smiling and laughing. Especially since Logan didn't get to go out and play with children his age as most the parents were worried that he would make their kids sick, despite the fact that what he had as an autoimmune disease that was not contagious in any way. Logan having both good and bad days. Good days being he could be a somewhat normal boy who played, laughed and explored. The bad days being the ones where he ran high fevers for no reason, was weak, tired and could barely move as his body was aching too much. Today surprisingly being one of the good days as Logan seemed to have a good burst of energy.

Dori comes to a stop, in true horse fashion, by holding up his front hands a moment while neighing. Dori then approaches the couple, with a slight bow before turning his side to Melody, allowing her to take her boy.

"Welcome home" Dori says as he rolls his shoulders back a few times as he stretches his neck, having not played like that in quite some time.

Melody gives Logan a tight squeeze before looking down to Dori with a polite smile. "So, we found a few things out"

Melody and Siegfried give Dori the rundown. Starting with the descriptions of the three dwarves she had seen being taken by Garett. Dori certain that they three she were talking about was his brother Nori, close friend Balin and Kili. And considering he was there when Fili was taken, he already knew he was with some woman by the name of Cora. Then there was Rigby, who once again, Dori already knew he had Bifur, Bofur and Oin, who Melody had mentioned lives not too far. While there was some ease knowing that he was the towns healer, the fact that he was a man of science who was known for his research and experiments on goblins brought up some concern for his friends wellbeing. At the mention of Welles, Dori frowns. The butcher. It had been a little over a day since he took Bombur. The couple did take a moment to stop into his shop but to their surprise, no one was even there. Neither of them bothering to check in the back where they would have found Welles hanging around after being outsmarted by Bilbo and Bombur. And Of course, Dori was here with Melody and Siegfried which left one final buyer, who had purchased three dwarves. By process of elimination, Dori and the others were able to determine that he was the one who had taken Ori. Halldora.

Dori has some sense of relief as he figures that Dwalin and Gloin would keep Ori save. Especially Dwalin as nobody messed with that dwarf.

As dusk was fast approaching and Melody having to get dinner started, it was agreed that in the morning that Siegfried would pay a visit to Halldora, while Melody, Dori and Logan went to see Rigby.

Chapter Text

"I don't like it!" Nori exclaims with a growl as he looks at himself in the mirror. The dwarf looking back at him completely unfamiliar.

Nori liked his original appearance. His triple mohawk. His beard divided and braided into three. It was his unique look that he felt suited his personality. But when they had arrived at Garrets estate, the first thing they did to the dwarf was strip him of everything that made Nori...Nori.

Under the instructions of Garret and Aislinn, all the braids and beads were to be removed from the dwarf as it made him look to uncivilized to put it nicely. And when Nori refused to comply with the couples instructions, they brought Steve in. A surprisingly well trained Orc servant that had been with Garret and his wife for some time. Though one could only assume that was a name given to him by the married couple and not the name that belonged to the orc before his captivity. The orc itself completely covered in permeant scars that one could only assume came from a whip and other horrible tools that help keep the orc in line. It's most defining feature though was the fact that it had no tongue, leaving the orc unable to speak outside of little grunts and groans. As commanded by Aislinn, Steve restrained Nori, holding the dwarf down while Aislinn began going through the dwarfs hair. Removing all leather straps, pins, and beads that helped his hair hold it's shape. She untwisted each braid, one by one, while Nori fought against the orc holding him down.

"Stop it!" Nori yelled out, almost like he was in pain as she messed with his hair. No one touched a dwarfs hair. Not without permission of course. And here this woman was, just completely undoing what had taken him months to perfect.

Within a few minuets Nori's hair had lost it's shape, hanging long in front of his face all tangled and dirty. His beard now boring and bead-less. This was just the beginning of his torment though. Aislinn takes a step back as she looks down at Nori, who was giving her a threatening glare. She wrinkles her nose a little as she looks to Steve. "Get this one cleaned up, would you "

Steve nods as he picks Nori up, tossing the dwarf up over his shoulder.

"Hey! Put me down!" Nori demands as Steve carries him up a large set of spiral stairs that lead to the upper level. The orc dragging Nori into the washroom, forcing him into the bath.

While Steve was busy with Nori, Aislinn approaches Balin, whom had been keeping quiet. The dwarf knowing there was nothing he could do to help Nori. He stands there, back straight with his hands at his side as he takes in a small breath through his nose. Unlike Nori, his hair was simple. Long and in need of a good brushing.

"I can bathe myself!"

Balin, Aislinn and Garette all look towards the top of the stairs. The three of them completely dumbfounded by the noises coming from the washroom up there. Water being splashed everywhere. Lound banging. Random incoherent screams from Nori as he argued with the orc. One would think the dwarf was being tortured.

Aislinn looks to her husband with a look that just read 'you seriously brought that thing into this house?'.

"I'm sure he'll be fine after training" Garett states, replying to her expression with a small shrug.

Aislinn lets out a small sigh as she looks back to Balin, crouching down slightly as she inspects the older dwarf. Unlike Nori, this one actually more dignified in how he presented himself.

"What do you call yourself?" She questions him.

"Balin" He replies, hesitant as to if he should finish the usual greeting. "At your service" he finally lets out with a slight bow, even though he really didn't want to.

Aislinn smiles at the older dwarf, looking back to her husband. At least he got this one right. Polite, willing to serve.

"I have a feeling you'll fit in here quite nicely"

Balin suddenly arches a brow as he hears more thrashing about in the upstairs washroom. A part of him felt bad for Nori, knowing and completely understanding why he was putting up a fight as they had completely ruined his hair. But at the same time, he had an understanding of the situation and while they were there, Balin was going to comply as a means of surviving.

-------------

Upon arrival to the home, Kili had been separated from Balin and Nori as he was still completely out cold when they had arrived. While Balin and Nori were brought immediately to meet Garett's wife, Kili was brought to one of the servant rooms. These rooms were located in the basement of the house. It consisted of four bedrooms that were connected by one common room which was where the stairs led to from the main floor. Each of the bedrooms empty with two cots in them and a small window to allow some natural light in the room.

Kili was in a room by himself, his ropes all removed as he laid on the cot. Slowly, he opens his eyes, taking in a deep breath as he stretches his arms over his head. As he drops his arms back down after the stretch, he fully opens his eyes, staring at the ceiling above as the realization hits him. This was not a familiar place. Kili then sits himself up in the bed, looking around the room. On the other side of the room, an empty cot. Behind him, the little window allowing some light in. Last he remembered he was with Bilbo, then things just started to spin and now he was in this weird room.

Kili gets out of the cot, immediately going for the door. He grabs the door knob, twisting it. It was locked. Frustrated, Kili starts twisting it some more. He jerks the knob left than right repeatedly as he starts forcing his shoulder into the door. He lets out a frustrated grunt as he slams himself into the door once again.

"Come on!" Kili exclaims as he pulls back to try again.

This time as he goes to slam into the door, it swings open. Kili stumbles forward through the open door, tripping over his feet and landing face first onto the wooden floors.

On the other side of the door was yet another Orc servant. This by the name of 'Joe' another obvious name chosen by Garret and Aislinn. This one a little more beat up than Steve, with a missing eye, two missing fingers on it's left hand, several faded scars and just like the other orc, no tongue. The orc stands over Kili, staring at the dwarf as he lays on the ground face first letting out a frustrated groan. Finally, Kili looks behind him, jumping as he rolls himself onto his back as he starts to back away from the orc. Joe steps towards Kili as he back away. He reaches out, grabbing the dwarf by the wrist as he pulls Kili up to his feet.

"Let go!" Kili demands as the larger creature grips his wrist tightly. Kili stands up as the Orc begins pulling him towards the stairs.

Joe ignores Kili as he just starts walking up the stairs. Kili pulling against the Orc as he's dragged out of the dimly lit basement, to the brightly lit upstairs. Joe pulls Kili though the door, the dwarf still struggling to pull his wrist free. With one quick tug, Joe swings Fili ahead of him, finally letting go. Once again, Kili stumbles forward, this time landing on his knees directly in front of Aislinn, who was just finishing up with Balin.

"Kili!" Balin says with surprise.

Kili lets out a frustrated huff as he looks up from his position on the floor. "Balin!" he exclaims with surprise and joy in his voice. But the grin on his face quickly fades as the unfamiliar woman steps in the way. Aislinn gives a slight smile as she crouches down in front of Kili, resting her hands on her knees as she looks at the dwarf.

"Glad to see you've finally awoken" Aislinn says as she takes Kili's chin into her hand. Her ruby lips poised into a somewhat frightening smile as she gently turns Kili's head to the left and then to the right. His features not as dwarf like like the other two. His face more soft. His facial hair yet to fill out. If it weren't for his sort stature, she would not have taken this one for a dwarf.

Kili grits his teeth together as he sits there on all fours, completely frozen as the woman looked him over. He was silent, not sure whether he should stay or run.

"I've got a good feeling about this one" Aislinn says as she looks back to her husband, finally standing herself back up.

Kilis eyes glance back to Balin as Aslinn steps out of the way. His heart pounding in his chest as he had no idea how he should even respond.

"I thought you might" Garett replies, pleased that Kili had given her a good impression.

Kili pulls himself off the floor as he moves himself beside Balin. Relieved to at least see another familiar face.

"Well now, lets get you two cleaned up" Aislinn says as she hears the door opening, assuming Steve was finished with Nori.

-------------------

"I don't like it"

All the grime and dirt had been scrubbed off of Nori. His hair straightened and detangled as Aislinn personally brushed and styled his hair exactly as she saw fit. She pulled his hair back into a pony tail with some elastic and proceeded to tie it up into a bun. And every time Nori tried to argue, she threatened to simply cut it.

His beard was brushed, all the tangles removed as it hung straight and boring. Aislinn even had to have Steve hold Nori down as she trimmed some of the dead ends while trying to clean it up. The dwarf frantically trying to make her stop, even if it was just a couple of snips from the scissors that was barely noticeable.

The clothes she had chosen were the standard uniform that even her orcs wore. Black shoes, black dress pants, a white shirt, red vest and a black bowtie.

Nori tugs at the vest, the entire outfit just making him uncomfortable. And not because the clothing wasn't comfortable, because it actually wasn't bad, but because the whole thing just wasn't Nori. He wasn't a clean well dressed dwarf who took orders!

Joe leads the newly bathed and clothed Balin and Kili into Aislinn's bedroom where she had just finished cleaning up the now unrecognizable Nori who looked completely destroyed on the inside.

Aislinn approaches Balin, inspecting the dwarf closely. His hair brushed back nicely, his beard smooth and the ungodly scent gone. She smiles as she pinches the older dwarfs cheek. "You are the cutest thing!" She says before looking away. Balin shooting her a quick look of disgust when her head is turned.

Finally, she looks to Kili. All braids removed from his hair. His 'beard' neatly trimmed and cleaned up. Aislinn reaches for the bowtie around Kilis neck as she straightens it. "Perfect" she says as she pulls away.

Kili groans as the way she stared at him made him uncomfortable.

"You" Aislinn says as she points to Nori, having not gotten his name yet, who was standing behind her, still looking in the mirror at the horrendous makeover he was forced to have.

"Its Nori" he grumbles when she points, shooting her a glare.

"Come here, Nori" she snaps slightly as she takes a step back, pushing Nori beside Balin as she lines the three dwarves up. She smiles as they all seemed to clean up rather nicely, clapping her hands together once as she starts laying down the ground rules.

Aislinn begins with the basics. The three of them belonged to her and her husband. They will be given chores and tasks each day that must be done in a timely manner. They will be allowed to eat only when told. They have a curfew in which they will be confined to their rooms. Breaks are earned through good behavior and any of them step out of like there will be consequences.

"And you....what is your name?" Aislinn adds as she looks to Kili with lustful eyes.

Kili swallows nervously. He hated how she kept singling him out. How she looked at him. "......Kili"

"I've decided you're going to be my personal servant, Kili" she says as she playfully pokes Kili's nose.

Kili's brows furrow when she states that she wanted him to only serve her. He looks to Balin and Nori with a worried look on his face.

Chapter Text

Fili sits on the floor in the middle Jessie's room. His feet stretched out ahead of him with bandages wrapped tightly around them. He sits staring ahead at the wall while Jessie sits behind him with a brush in hand.

Normally he would never allow anyone to touch his hair but he had become so disconnected from the world around him that it was if he wasn't even aware of what she was doing.

Jessie hums to herself as she gently brushes through Fili's hair, removing every knot and tangle with each stroke.

"This isn't so bad!" She says in a cheery voice as she sets the brush down on the floor beside her. She then begins sectioning off pieces of his hair as she starts making braids of her own.

Fili takes in slow breaths as he continues to just stare at nothing. His body just numb to everything happening. Worst part of it being that it had only been a few days. Jessie. Her mom. Her dad. They had taken everything from Fili in such little time.

Jessie finishes her braids by adding one final touch. A pink ribbon which she fastened into a bow across his head. She crawls in front of Fili, holding up a small mirror to show the dwarf what she had done.

"You look so pretty!" Jessie says with a wide grin on her face as Fili looks at the reflection of the broken dwarf in the mirror. She then drops the mirror on the floor as she leans into Fili. She wraps her arms around Fili as she gives him a tight hug, resting her head on the dwarfs shoulder.

"Don't worry Bingo, you'll feel better soon" she says, referring to what her dad had done to his feet just a few hours earlier. "You have me to take care of you!"

Fili sits still with his hands at his side as she hugs him tightly. His only thought being that he was probably going to die here. His lips slowly part as he silently calls out to Kili. As he stares at the wall, his eyes start to water. Never had he felt so helpless. Never had he felt so alone. It had only been a few days and all he wanted more than anything was this nightmare to be over.

Chapter Text

"He should have been back hours ago" Dwalin says with frustration in his voice as he paces around in the living room of the house, eyes focused out the window as the sun starts to rise.

Bombur sits on the floor with Ori on the couch beside him, he holds in his hand a bowl of soup that he had made using ingredients found in the kitchen. Bombur takes a small spoon full, blowing gently on it before holding it up to Ori's lips. The young dwarf takes a sip as he shivers beneath the blankets. His complexion pale and his body weak as he needed proper aid and Oin was not there to help them. Ori forces a faint smile to Bombur as he winces.

"It's going to be ok" Bombur says trying to be optimistic. "Bilbo said he will be back and I believe him!"

"It's not a matter of belief" Dwalin replies as he crosses his arms. "We know Bilbo is a hobbit of his word, I just worry of what might have happened"

While Dwalin and Bombur were watching over Ori, Gloin had taken it upon himself to handle the newly orphaned boys, Eri and Eija. Being a father himself, he had some practice with how to handle children. Dwarven children mostly but he couldn't imagine it would be much different with humans. He had started by allowing the children to have their space, not getting too close while allowing them to mourn. He had then proceeded to use the sympathetic approach, having lost family in the past and knowing their pain to a point. The boys eventually warmed up to Gloin, listening to him. And with some help from the eldest, Eri, Gloin had managed to bring Halldora's body back to the farm where he had proceeded to bury the man in the yard. The grave marked with a large stone and some flowers.

As the night went on, the boys retreated into their parents bedroom on the upper level of their home, choosing to sleep together on what used to be the bed belonging to both their mother and their father. Gloin keeping himself near in case the boys needed anything. Gloin sat in the hallway, outside of the bedroom door with his back against the wall. In his hands the photo of his wife and child. His heart aching at just the thought of anything happening to them. Even the idea of what they would do if anything happened to him. What if it were Gimli in this situation? Left with a bunch of strangers with no other family around? He wished things could have turned out differently but what's done was done. All that the dwarf father could do was ensure that Eri and Eija were taken care of and in a good place.

---------------

As the sun was lighting up the sky, hoofs galloping up the dirt road can be heard. Dwalin ducks behind the window as a large brown horse comes into view with an unfamiliar man sitting in the saddle.

"Hide Ori!" Dwalin hisses in a low voice as he looks to Bombur.

Bombur goes into a slight panic. "Hide him?" Bombur looks to the sick dwarf, not even sure if it was safe to move him. He then stands up in the middle of the living room, looking around for a place to store the dwarf. Giving up, Bombur takes the blankets that Ori was huddled under, pulling them up over his head. He gives a proud smile as he steps back, the smile turning into an uncertain frown as he looks at the lump that was obviously concealing something underneath. By this point it was too late. The man outside had already dismounted the horse and was approaching the door.

He knocks.

"No ones here!" Bombur suddenly blurts out.

"Hush!" Dwalin exclaims as he looks to the larger dwarf with a look of surprise that his response was to state no one was home, rather than remaining silent.

"Halldora, you home?"

"I mean....no ones here!" Bombur states again, trying to correct himself but failing.

"BOMBUR!" Dwalin snaps again in his hushed voice knowing that their cover was completely blown by this point.

Dwalin rolls his eyes as he slowly approaches the door, grabbing one of Halldora's blades off a nearby table as he readies himself. And as the man pulls the door open, Dwalin lets out a mighty yell as he leaps at the man. Siegfried, completely thrown off guard by the sudden attack stumbles into the wall before falling back onto the porch with Dwalin straddling him as he's pinned down. Dwalin holds the blade up as he stares down at the man.

"Don't make any sudden movements" Dwalin states in a firm and threatening voice.

Siegfried slides his hands up slightly, holding his palms open as he remains calm. "I-I was sent here by Dori!" he chokes out, trying to prove that he was friendly.

"Did he say Dori sent him?" Bombur questions as he peers outside from the middle of the living room.

"He's obviously lyin' to us" Dwalin states as he grabs Siegfried's shit collar, pulling him up slightly off the ground. "Why are ye really here?"

Hearing the commotion, Gloin makes his way down the stairs. He curiously enters into the living room as he stands beside Bombur, eying Dwalin as he sits atop of the stranger.

"DoriwantedmetocheckonhisbrotherOri!" Siegfried replies quickly, really not wanting to engage in any sort of conflict.

"Whats this about Dori?" Ori mumbles from under the blanket in a tired voice.

Bombur looks down at the lump of fabric, finally removing the bit from the dwarfs face as he accepts the hiding place as a fail. The young dwarf really not looking good. Bombur frowns as he looks back to Dwalin and Siegfried. "Dwalin, what if he can help?"

Dwalin hesitates a moment as he stares down at the man beneath him. He didn't look like much of a threat, but just to be safe, Dwalin lets go of the mans collar. He places the blade against the mans neck as he starts to pat down the larger man in search of any hidden weapons. With nothing to hide, Siegfried allows the dwarf to do his thing.

"He's clean....." Dwalin says with disdain in his voice. Dwalin pulls himself off of the man, keeping his eyes on him as he gets up.

Siegfried stands himself up, before looking down at the dwarf that had tackled him. It was a little odd that he had been 'greeted' by a dwarf, rather than Halldora himself. "Is everything alright here?" he questions in a calm voice as he takes a step into the house, Dwalin holding up the blade in a defensive stance in case Siegfried dare try anything sketchy.

"No" Bombur replies, knowing that even though there was distrust, Ori needed help and fast. "Our friend needs a healer"

As Siegfried comes further into the living room, Gloin takes a step back, allowing him to pass. He steps in front of the couch, looking down at Ori. The dwarf barely conscious as he breaks out into a sweat. "What happened?" he questions as he crouches down beside Bombur, placing a hand on Ori's forehead, confirming the obvious that he had broken out into a fever.

Dwalin, Bombur and Gloin gave Siegfried the run down of everything that had happened. Everything from the hunt, to Eija stabbing the dwarf, to Halldora's accidental death. Everything in this place just becoming a huge mess. Finally it ended with how they were awaiting Bilbo to return. Which is where Siegfried had given them the news that Bilbo had gotten himself caught and was currently being held at Albold's.

Now came the real conversation on what to do as it would not be safe for any of the dwarves to stay at the farm. There was no doubt in his mind that if it had been someone else that had discovered the dwarves on the farm, they would be paying for it. But then there was the issue of where they would go. He would offer them his home but there was no way they would all fit as his home was barely big enough for his family.

"I know someone that can help Ori" Siegfried states, not wanting to waste anymore time.

"Can this person be trusted?" Gloin asks, knowing that it didn't matter who it was, Dwalin wasn't going to trust them.

"There isn't much of a choice" Siegfried replies, not really knowing the man outside of his healing practice and the rumors around the town about his research.

Siegfried begins wrapping the blankets around Ori as he gently lifts the dwarf off of the couch, cradling him in his arms.

"I'm not letting you go alone" Bombur states in protest.

"We're going with you" Dwalin also says, stepping in front of Siegfried.

Siegfried stops as the dwarf cuts him off. "I get your concerns but I only have one horse and it's going to be difficult enough riding with Ori"

"What about the carriage?" Bombur questions.

"You mean the cage?!" Dwalin replies, believing that Bombur was referring to the cage that Halldora's horse used to transport him, Ori and Gloin. "Not exactly discrete when everyone can see you!"

"What?" Bombur tilts his head to the side as he had no idea what Dwalin was talking about. "No, the carriage Bilbo and I stole from that butcher. It has more than enough room for all of us, plus Ori will be able to lay down!"

Siegfried blinks a moment when Bombur mentions the butcher. "Wait, you stole Welle's horse and carriage?" He and his wife had assume he just forgot to lock up his shop when they went to check up on the dwarf there. Then it hit him. He lets out a sigh of relief as he gives a genuine smile. "Oh Dori is going to be so happy...." he says without much context other than they all had little hope when it came to Bomburs survival against the butcher.

"Well, then I guess you three are coming with me" he says calmly. "and I guess Melody and I will try and make due with the limited space in our home...."

"What about the young ones?" Gloin suddenly adds.

"What about us?" Eri questions, overhearing Gloin. The two of them having been up for a while, just hanging back by the stair as they listened in to the conversation.

Siegfried had almost forgotten about the two kids. Though Eri was twelve years old, he was still just a child.

"I...." Siegfried hesitates as he had no idea what to do. He was already trying to accommodate or more or less hide dwarves in his small home.

"We can take care of ourselves" Eri snaps as he holds his younger brother close. Though he and his brother had warmed up to Gloin, their fathers death was still very fresh, and the one who had killed him was technically standing in the living room, so when he speaks, his words were bitter. "You should just leave"

Siegfried bites his lip as the kid was clearly hurting. Ori winces in Siegfried's arms, the man looking down and realizing they had wasted too much time already.

"We'll leave" he says not wanting to argue with the boys. "But I will send for you both" he states, knowing it was the only thing he could do.

Siegfried carries Ori out of the house with haste in his step, Dwalin, Gloin and Bombur each following closely behind as they get the carriage ready.

Chapter Text

Melody knocks on Rigby's door. Behind her, Dori and Logan, who insisted he hold Dori's hand. The boy having really taken a liking to the dwarf.

She knocks a couple more times on the door. While the mans home was three levels, he was usually on the main level during his business hours. And if he wasn't around, there was usually a sign instructing people to return later as he was out, or if the door was unlocked to just come inside and wait until until he returned. Being who he was in the town, he did try his best to be available at all times when needed. Even if he was someone who preferred his privacy and kept to himself.

"Maybe he's not here?" Dori questions in his polite voice as Logan starts swinging his arm.

Melody looks behind her as Dori speaks. It was possible that he did go out and just forgot to put up his sign. It wouldn't be the first time it had happened.

"We could check back in a little bit" She replies not wanting to stay out too long with Logan.

As they turn to leave, the door suddenly opens. Melody turns around expecting to meet eyes with the man who was just a little taller than her. What shes met with is a dwarf, in a funny looking hat.

"Can I help you?" Bofur asks looking up to the woman as she blinks with a confused look on her face. The bright eyed dwarf smiling at her as he waits for an answer.

"Bofur?!" Dori exclaims with surprise in his voice as he pokes his head out from behind the woman, letting go of Logans hand for just a moment. His face lighting up as he sees not just a familiar face but a cheery one at that.

When he last saw Bofur, the dwarf looked defeated. Forcing himself to smile as he, his cousin and Oin were being taken away to who knew where. But now, here he was, not only smiling, but wearing a plush robe that had been clearly cut down in its length to fit him better.

Bofur's bright smile grows bigger when he sees Dori. He lets out a joyful laugh as he pulls the older dwarf into a tight hug.

"Come in! Come in!" Bofur suddenly says as he pulls away from the hug, stepping aside to let Melody, Dori and Logan inside. "Rigby is just downstairs in his workshop if you're looking for him" Bofur adds casually to Melody as he was sure she was there for him. The dwarf clearly acting as though this were his own home, rather than the home of someone whom had purchased him.

Dori takes Logans hand again as they walk into the house.

"Actually, we're here for you" Melody replies as she walks into his house, this particular floor most familiar to her as it was where he met with his patients.

"And Bifur and Oin....they are with you, right?"

"Aye, they're around" Bofur replies like nothing was wrong. "Oin I think is downstairs with Rigby working on his new trumpet and Bifur....I'm not sure, might be upstairs having a bath or taking a nap or havin' a snack? Or possibly all of the above at once!"

Dori blinks with confusion as it was sounding like the thee dwarves had pretty much made themselves at home.

"And who is this little man?!" Bofur asks as he looks to the child who was practically clinging to Dori.

"Melody!" A familiar voice calls out as Rigby ascends from the basement. "Is everything alright with Logan?" He immediately questions as he was usually the reason she would show up unexpectedly.

"Oh no, Logan is fine" she replies as she looks down to see Bofur starting to make faces at the child. Her son starting to giggle at the charismatic dwarf, letting go of Dori and copying Bofur's faces. "I just came to see how the dwarves were doing....which, I'd say is fine" she continued, pleasantly surprised that she and her husband weren't the only sane people living in this town who knew and understood that the dwarves were not animals.

"Fine would be an understatement" Oin interrupts as he comes up the stairs with a brand new trumpet in his hand. The deaf dwarf incredibly grateful for the gift that Rigby really didn't need to give him. This one working much better than the one that had been destroyed by the goblins. "He fixed my trumpet!"

"Oin!" Dori laughs with joy as he sees the familiar face. He practically jumps onto his friend as he greets him with a tight hug. He was so worried that he was never going to see any of the others again that the fact that he was standing in the room with two of them seemed just so surreal to him. Oin lets out a small huffed breath as he wasn't expecting that response from the usually calm and polite Dori.

As he pulls away from his hug, Dori is greeted by one final familiar voice. This one speaking to him in Khuzdul. The dwarf with the axe in his head also wearing a plush robe similar to Bofur's cut unevenly to his size, his hair still wet as he was indeed just relaxing in the tub. As Dori pulls away from his hug with Oin, Bifur pulls Dori into a hug of his own. A tear forms in Dori's eyes as he was just so overwhelmed with emotions at this reunion. Even though it had only been a couple days, it still felt like forever since he had seen anyone.

Melody smiles as she watches Dori reunite with his friends. While it wasn't all of them, it was a start.

"I guess this means you three will be on your way?" Rigby says quietly, almost sad as he was enjoying the company of the dwarves, but knowing that they were positive that they would be leaving the moment he was finished with Oin's trumpet.

"On their way?" Melody questions as he mentions their plan to leave.

"Yeah, they were going to head off once I fixed Oin's hearing device" he says casually.

Bifur says something to Rigby in his language, holding his hand in a fist over his chest as he speaks in a proud confident voice. The taller man looking to Bofur for a translation, only to catch the dwarf was distracted with the boy, who was now sitting on top of Bofur's shoulders, holding onto the flaps of his hat. The dwarf not even paying attention as he just bounced as he played with the child. With one tug of the hat, Logan pulls it off the dwarfs head, placing it onto his own. The hat's large size causing it to slip over the boys eyes as he continued to laugh.

"He said Your hospitality will not go unappreciated" Oin says as he was the only one who was paying attention to Bifur.

"Where will you go?" Melody questions Oin and Bifur with some concern in her voice.

"To find the others" Oin replies with a smile. "If we stay here we'll never find them!"

Bifur nods as he speaks to Melody in agreement to Oin. The three dwarves already decided that their best plan of action was go out and search for the others, not even considering what would happen if they walked out there in broad daylight.

Just as Melody was about to state her concerns about how they should put a little more thought into things before just leaving, Siegfried comes bursting through Rigby's front door.

"We need help!" He exclaims as he holds Ori in his arms. Behind him, Dwalin, Gloin and Bombur, running at a pace to keep up with the man. Each of them ignoring his requests for them to wait in the carriage.

Rigby turns his attention to Siegfried dwarf cradled in his arms. Ori completely white as a ghost as he struggled to keep himself awake, worried that if he fell asleep, he might never wake up. His fever growing higher each passing minute.

Dori's attention turns to the door as he sees three more dwarves standing there, and while he wanted to greet them with joy, his face pales when he sees his baby brother clinging for life in the arms of Melody's husband. Even Bofur's playful motions come to a stop when he realizes what was happening. His mouth hanging slightly ajar as Logan lifts the oversized hat up over his eyes to see what was happening.

"Follow me" Rigby states, realizing the Dwarf was not looking good, turning his back to the pair as he leads them down the hallway into one of his healing rooms. Siegfried following the healer as he moves, Dori following as well

Rigby opens the door. Inside the room, a large bed that rested against one of the walls, and several tables and counters filled with various tools, herbs, plants, elixirs, and books. Everything imaginable that a healer would use to help their patients.

"What happened to Ori?!" Dori questions as he follows Siegfried into the room. As Siegfried places the dwarf carefully down on the bed, Dori pushes himself in front of the man. He takes Ori's hand in his as he stands over his baby brother.

"He was stabbed in the back" Siegfried says as stands back, placing a hand on Dori's shoulder, trying to give the dwarf his support. "My guess is the wound wasn't cleaned properly"

Ori's eyes were heavy as he turns his head to see his big brother. His lips forming into a bright smile as he squeezes his brother hand. "Hey brother" he says in a weakened voice.

"I'm sorry, I'm going to need you to clear the room" Rigby says as he pushes himself in front of Dori, with a bottle in his hand. "Here" he says as he holds the bottle to Ori's lips, gently tilting it back as he has Ori drink the liquid inside.

Ori coughs as he swallows it, making a face as the liquid was bitter.

"Is he going to be alright?" Dori questions as he allows Rigby to do his job.

Rigby doesn't respond to Dori as his focus was on the dwarf in bed. The medicine starting to kick in as Ori's eyes start to close, forcing the dwarf into a slumber. Once asleep, Rigby gently rolls the dwarf onto his side as he lifts up his shirt.

"Come on" Siegfried says quietly to Dori. "We should let him work"

Dori frowns as he watches Rigby remove the bandages from Ori's back, getting a look at the wound that his friends had tried to patch up. The redness around it a clear indicator of infection, and the lack of stitches causing it to start bleeding once the bandages were removed. Dori gives a small nod as he walks out of the room with Siegfried, the larger man closing the door behind them as they trust Ori's health in the hands of the healer.

Melody holds Logan in her arms as he lets out a yawn, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Dori, Rigby is a little odd" Melody says in a calm voice "but he is good at what he does, I trust him more than anyone with Logan, so I can confidently say that you can trust that he will do everything in his power to help your brother"

Dori gives a faint smile as Melody speaks, nodding as he acknowledges her words. Logan clearly meant a lot to the couple and if they trusted his wellbeing to this man, then Dori had no reason to doubt his abilities. All he could do now was wait and hope to Mahal that Ori would pull through.

Chapter Text

Aislinn was in charge of getting the dwarves looking like they belonged on their property, while Garett was in charge of the tour and really enforcing the ground rules.

As the dwarves were already on the upper level of the home, he naturally starts the tour up there. The floor consisting of the master bedroom, which was off limits except while cleaning or instructed by a mater of the house. The room filled with expensive looking pieces of art, and jewelry complete with a walk in closet filled to the brim with expensive garments and a king sized bed with elegant silk sheets. The next two rooms were guest rooms and their appearances were very similar to that of the master bedroom with fewer clothes in the closet. Then there was the washroom. Off limits to their personal use with the exception of when they first arrived, it's interior decorated with ivory and gold.

Onto the main floor, which is where Nori, Balin and Kili were expected to be spending most of their time. It consisted of a large kitchen that Bombur could only dream of, with a pantry just filled with all sorts of breads and cheeses from across middle earth and a massive wooden stove. The dining room with it's large oak table with eight matching chairs and golden candle sticks spread across the table as well as hanging off the walls. The living room was decorated with an ornate rug in the center, with two large couches lined two sides of the rug. There was a mahogany coffee table in the center of the rug. Beside the oversized fireplace was a giant stuffed warg that Garett bragged about hunting and stuffing himself. The three dwarves doubting his story and sticking with the theory that he bought it from Albold, probably dead on arrival.

Finally there was the front and back yard. The front lawn expanded out two acres with green grass and several floral gardens that lined the dirt road that lead to the home. The back yard also around two acres with a stable for the horses, a vegetable garden and a large pond with a watermill gently spinning as water runs through it. To the right of the watermill, a large shed that looked to be the size of a small single floor house. It's exterior beautify built with large planks of wood with carvings of vines and flowers in the wood. A piece that one could only assume was a garden shed made to fit the aesthetic of the property.

"This here" Garett says as he walks towards the nicely build shed, approaching the door, which was a thick mahogany wood with a gold, naturally, handle. On his face a grin that didn't quite seem natural. He opens the door, standing to the side as he allows the dwarves to enter. As they step in, they all go silent. The interior was nothing like the exterior.

Inside the floor was a concrete, the walls stone, making the room itself chillier. The floors were stained with splatters of red and deep browns. On one wall, there were shelves with many different tools, ranging from sheers, various whips, ropes, chains, various knives and blades, the list going on. And some baskets, a large basin and an old looking wooden chair sitting against the wall underneath. Another wall had chains with cuffs hanging from the top of the wall and along the bottom. In the middle of the room was a large post with manacles hanging from it. Beside it a large iron firepit. The whole place just a room of torture and nightmares.

"This is a room I hope you three will never have to use" Garett says from behind, using this room to instill a fear into the dwarves to command obedience from them.

Balin keeps himself calm as he takes in the numerous devices in this room. The older dwarf figuring out that this was probably how they go the orcs to be so behaved. Probably where they had lost their tongues.

"Y-you don't really use this room...." Nori chokes out as he swallows nervously.

"Not lately" Garett replies.

Kili takes in a deep breath as he too takes in each and every item in here. He turns back to face Garett, the mans smile sending chills down the dwarfs spine. He then looks to Nori, who was clearly starting to get nervous. "Weren't you the one who told me to keep fighting?" Kili says in Khuzdul. "There is three of us and one of him, we can take him"

"There will be none of that!" Garett states in a firm voice as Kili starts talking in a language he did not understand. "I'll let you know now that Aislinn and I got very tired of those orcs communicating with words we could not understand"

Nori was about to reply to Kili but when Garette speaks, he closes his mouth. This man clearly more dangerous than they realized.

"Well, that ends our tour!" Garett finally says as he turns his back to the dwarves to lead them back out of the shed.

"This might be our only chance" Kili says once again in his language, with a firm tone to his voice.

"You're right" Nori replies as he balls his hands into fists.

Balin takes in a hesitant breath, the older dwarf knowing it was going to go one of two ways. They would escape and need to lay low or this will go horribly wrong. Then he really starts to think, this whole set up seemed to easy. The older man, leading three dwarves around on his own, eventually leading them to the outside where they could easily overpower him and escape. And now as he leaves, he turns his back to them, leaving himself vulnerable. Balin takes a hold of Nori's wrist just as he was about to make a move, but just as he was about to grab Kili, the dwarf prince takes off.

"Kili! Stop!" Balin yells out as the dwarf prince shoves himself past Garett. The older man falling to the grass below as Kili goes into a sprint.

Nori pulls his arm from Balin, frustrated that he was stopped as he was about to go sprinting behind Kili, only to see the dwarf prince go down.

"Kili!" Nori calls out, as Balin once again takes a hold of Nori's wrist to keep him from running to Kili, knowing that it would probably end the exact same with for Nori, even if it was an attempt to help his friend, rather than an escape. Balin frowns as he shakes his head to Nori, the idea of leaving Kili paining him greatly. The woman of the house had already made it clear that she was not a fan of Nori, so Balin didn't even want to think of that they would do to him. If anything, she was probably hoping Nori would be the first to make a move, not her obvious favorite, Kili.

As Kili was passing the stables, a bola comes swinging out. The rope catching itself around Kili's legs as the weights start rapidly wrapping themselves around, bringing the dwarf prince to the ground. Kili lands face first into the dirt with a loud grunt and a wince. He takes in a deep breath as Steve the orc shows himself from behind the stables, walking towards Kili. The orc, grabs Kili by the back of the shirt collar as he roughly hoists him up a little as he drags the dwarf back to Garett.

Kili lets out a groan as he is dragged along the grass, his teeth grit together as he is suddenly thrown before Garett. Kili's face meets with the grass as he's thrown. He lays there a moment as he take in a couple slow breaths. He peels his upper body from the grass, supporting himself on his hands and elbows as he looks to Balin and Nori. His face looking as though he had just been betrayed by the only people he could trust, like they had left him alone to the wargs while they stayed behind like cowards. Nori catches that look before turning his own glance to the ground. Had Balin not stopped him, he would have been right there with Kili.

From behind the shed, Aislinn emerges with her arms crossed and a frown upon her face. Beside her, Joe who was holding his own Bola as he had not needed to use his.

"I honestly thought they were all going to fail the test...." Garett says as he looks to Balin and Nori with a pleasant smile on his face.

Aislinn approaches Balin and Nori, eyeing the two. A look of disgust forming on her face as she looks to Nori. "I knew Balin would pass without a doubt but....this one....I'm surprised" Her voice almost seemed disappointed that she had no reason to make the dwarf suffer. She then lets out a sigh as she turns around to look at Kili. She frowns as she crouches down to face him. She runs her fingers through Kili's hair as she gently brushes his cheek, finally resting her hand under his chin.

"Garett dear, I don't want any visible scaring or damage to this one" she says as her eyes lock with Kili's, the dwarf trying his best to remain calm as he takes in slow breaths.

"Of course" Garett replies as he snaps his fingers to his two orcs, directing them to the shed.

Joe steps forward as he enters into the shed. Steve gets behind Kili again, roughly grabbing the dwarf by the shirt collar once more. He drags the Dwarf prince past his friends into the shed as Garett follows behind. As he steps in, he closes the door behind him. Aislinn stands herself back up as she hold her hand under her own chin as she lets out a soft sigh. Kili did break their rules and thus had to be made an example of.

Nori and Balin watch as the door is slammed behind them. Both of them feeling sick for the dwarf prince. Balin feeling especially bad for not being faster with the realization to stop Kili from making a move.

"Well, you both passed the test" Aislinn says with a fake cheery voice. "Guess that means you've earned yourselves a reward"

Chapter Text

Kili sits on his knees in the middle of the shed, the bola finally removed from his legs but his wrists now tied tightly behind his back. Steve the orc holding him in that position with his hands placed firmly on the dwarfs shoulders, while Joe had been given instructions by Garett, having left the shed with the basin in hand.

"You should consider yourself lucky my wife doesn't want a scratch on you" Garett says as he paces back and forth with a huff in his breath, looking down at the dwarf prince.

Kili takes in a slow breath from his nose as he does his best to keep calm. The dwarf more angered that his friends had left him the way they did, rather than scared as to what Garett was about to do.

"Lucky me..." Kili replies in a flat sarcastic tone.

As he speaks, a hand is met against his cheek as Garett strikes Kili across the face, angered he was not more grateful. Kili's face snaps to the side as Garett stares down at the dwarf. "Do not think for a moment that you are untouchable. I am not a very patient man and accidents do happen...." he says as he takes Kili's chin into his own hand, forcing the dwarf to look at him as he squeezes Kili's cheeks tightly. The dwarf prince wincing as the mans fingers dig into his cheeks.

Joe returns to the shed with the large basin in his hand. Water inside splashing from side to side as he makes his way into the center of the shed. Garett pushes Kili's face to the side as he roughly lets go of the dwarf. He steps to the side, allowing the orc to drop the basin of water directly in front of Kili.

Kili swallows nervously as he sees the water swishing around inside the basin. He wasn't sure what they had in mind when Aislinn told Garett not to leave scars but this was not what Kili had expected. Kili's lips part a little as his heart starts to speed up. His facial features unable to hide the fear starting to build inside.

"You're looking a little pale" Garett says in a sarcastic sympathetic voice as he takes delight in the worry starting to form on Kili's face as the dwarf stared down at the water. "Nothing to worry about, it's just a little water"

Steve forces Kili forward, leaning him over the basin, his face a few inches for the water. Kili letting out a small scream as he inhales deeply, positive he was about to go under. Garett smirks as Kili flinched by the fake out, the orc holding him for three seconds before finally forcing Kili's head into the ice cold water. The dwarf completely unprepared as he had no time to take in any air. His eyes wide open as he forces air out from his nose and mouth, running out almost instantly as he struggles to hold his breath. He thrashes his head under the water as his chest starts to hurt. Finally relief comes as the Orc pulls him back up out of the water. Kili taking in a large gasp of air before coughing. His cheeks cold and red from the water.

As he coughs, Steve pushes Kili back into the water. The dwarf accidentally inhaling a good amount of water as he starts to choke, unable to take in any air as he thrashes around again, trying to fight against the orc. His vision starting to blur as gray spots begin appearing. Once more, he was ripped back out of the water. The dwarf coughing even more as he begins spitting up water. His heart beating rapidly as he takes in fasts breaths. Steve holds Kili back over the basin, the dwarf still coughing up water from the last dunk.

"No. No. No. Pleas-" Kili once again is shoved under as he begs for them to just stop. His legs kick against the concrete floor as his breath runs out once again. The spots forming once more as each time he's held under feels longer than the last. Garett smirks as he watches the dwarf struggling beneath the water. Bubbles floating to the top of the basin as he continues to try and come up for air. His wife did tell him not to leave any physical marks on the dwarf. He gives a slight nod of the head as Steve once again pulls Kili back up from the water.

Kili's chest felt as though it was on fire as he starts coughing. His throat feeling as though knives were passing through as he coughs the water back up. His face ice cold yet feeling as though it was burning, as his eyes were red and puffy. He breathes heavily as he looks up to Garret. His eyes tired as he pleas for him to stop. And just as he was convinced it was going to end, he was shoved under.

The torture lasting for what felt like an eternity until Kili was finally pulled from the water and tossed to the side like a ragdoll. The bonds on his wrists finally cut as he brings his arms in front of him, crossing them over his chest as he stares ahead at the wall, shivering as he tries to warm himself up. The dwarf left laying on the floor as he violently coughs, each cough and breath hurting more than the last as he spits out mixes of water and saliva. His head pounding from the oxygen deprivation. And to finish it all off, Joe lifts the basin of water, dumping it onto Kili. The dwarf lays there in his clothes, completely drenched in ice cold water as his body was hurting all over. He starts shivering more violently as Garett steps over Kili. The dwarfs lips almost going blue as they tremble.

"Take him back to his room" Garett says as he steps away.

------------------------

Kili was returned to his room in the basement. Still in the soaking wet clothes. Just dropped in the middle of the floor. As the door is closed, Kili pulls himself up to his hands and knees, trying to get up as he takes small shallow breaths. His clothes and hair dripping, his lips trembling and his body shaking as his arms felt weak trying to support his weight. Suddenly, his arms give out, causing him to collapse back to the ground. His body just too tired to move as he finally gives up, curling his knees into his chest as he wraps his arms around them.

Kili lays in the puddle that was forming beneath him on the floor, still taking small breaths as it pained him to breathe. He continued to cough periodically as his lungs continued to flush water out of them. Each passing minuet he laid there feeling like an eternity.

Chapter Text

As another night passes, Thorin and Bilbo are left alone in their cells. The Dwarf king lets out a frustrated huff as he kicks the back wall of his cell. His hands were numb. He felt sick as he had been refusing to eat, he was tired and angry at himself as he still felt responsible. Even if he had been lectured about it not being his fault.

"Easy there" Bilbo says as he stands in front of the bars that separated the pair.

"My entire company has been /sold/ off to the monsters of this forsaken town and you dare tell me to take it easy?!" Thorin snaps back with frustration.

Bilbo couldn't argue with that statement. But unlike Thorin, Bilbo wasn't so quick to give up. There were times where he wanted to leave and return to bag end but every time, Bilbo ended up staying. The hobbit was determined to help the dwarves get their home back. And even though things seemed bleak now, Bilbo was also determined to get the company back together. Somehow.

"What about that woman?" Bilbo questions to Thorin. "I'm not entirely sure what was happening but you have to admit that her and her husband didn't quite seem like the others, and you obviously sensed that too. Why else would you have helped her?"

Thorin goes quiet a moment as he finally turns his attention to the Hobbit. He moves to the bars as he stares back at Bilbo, the Hobbit, despite being exhausted and wanting this to end as well, still had a glimmer of hope flickering inside of him. Thorin himself wasn't sure what the deal with the woman and her husband was but Bilbo was right. They didn't present themselves as hostile. They had even mentioned Dori's state, which in turn, threw off Albold. It was clear they had talked to the dwarf as well and learned about him as they were specifically trying to get him back with his brother. Whether their intentions were of good faith or self gain was up for debate though.

"I will admit that it seemed like they could be allies of some sort" Thorin replies calmly in agreement with Bilbo's statement. "But it still bothers me that they had chosen to purchase one of my company"

"Maybe they had their reasons" Bilbo replies, trying to think of all the possibilities.

"What reason could there possibly be outside of slavery? or pointless slaughter?" Thorin replies, unable to see other reasons.

Bilbo shrugs as he tries to keep to the positive. "I don't know. But I do know that you and I have a choice to make"

Thorin arches a brow as Bilbo speaks to him.

Bilbo smirks a little as he steps closer to the bars. In his pocket still sat the ring. The only problem being that the ring was in his front pocket, while his hands were tied behind his back.

"I need you to reach into my pocket, and hand me my ring"

Thorin arches a brow when Bilbo makes the request.

"I don't see how putting the ring on now is going to aid us" Thorin states, pointing out the obvious. Right now, Bilbo and he were trapped in a cell. If Bilbo were to go invisible, all Albold would see is an empty cell. It would be a coin toss as to if he would open the cell to investigate or if he would just call to his men and start a hunt. Meaning that if the door isn't open, Bilbo is still just stuck in the cell, bound and still with no way of escape.

"I'm not going to use it now" Bilbo states as he pushes his stomach into the bars, allowing the pocket to be more accessible to Thorin.

Thorin lets out a small sigh as he turns his back to Bilbo, bending his knees slightly as he tries to line up his hands. He awkwardly looks over his shoulder as he begins feeling Bilbo's velvety vest with his fingers.

"Little lower" Bilbo says as he goes up on his toes a little to help Thorin find the opening.

Thorin feels out the fabric, finding the little pocket. He uses two fingers to pull the pocket open, slipping his middle fingers in as he feels for the metal ring. The tip of his finger touches the smooth metal. He slowly starts maneuvering the ring within the pocket, sliding it up against the vest until he was able to get a good grasp of it in his hands.

"Got it!" Thorin exclaims as he pulls away from Bilbo. Bilbo then turns himself around, reaching his hands through the bars. Thorin's hands feel for Bilbo. As their fingers meet, Thorin grabs a firm hold of Bilbo's hand as he passes the ring to him. Bilbo grins as ring is back in the palm of his hands.

"Thanks" Bilbo says as he finally pulls his hands away from Thorin, turning back to face the Dwarf King. Thorin doing the same, turning back to face Bilbo.

"Now what?" Thorin questions, still not understanding what Bilbo was planning to do.

Bilbo plays with the ring in his hands a few moments. His fingers running around the outside of the ring as he lets out a small sigh of relief, as though he had gone too long without the precious metal in his hands. Finally, he slowly starts to push the ring towards his wrists. He tucks it beneath the rope, the ring pressed tightly against his wrist. He gives a smirk as he adjusts it around, securing it in place, ensuring he could easily access it when he was ready.

"Now we wait" Bilbo says with a wink at Thorin.

Chapter Text

It was not the intention of Melody and Siegfried, but the couple had ended up staying at Rigby's place with all the dwarves for the night. Each of them wanting to be there for Ori. And if anyone questioned why the couple had not returned home, they would just make claim that Logan had fallen ill and that Rigby had wanted them to stay for observation. Rigby had even given the offer for the dwarves to remain at his place, as it was large enough for them with the three levels. Though, with the exception of Bofur, Bifur and Oin, the rest would need to make an effort to remain hidden. For now at least.

Rigby had done everything he could for Ori at this point. He had thoroughly cleaned the wound, stitched it up and placed clean bandages over it. All that was left was for Ori to fight off the infection himself, with the aid of an elixir consisting of various herbs that Rigby had gathered across middle earth. Once he was finished, he allowed Dori back into the room. The dwarf refusing to leave Ori's side.

Dori was alone in the room. His hand places atop of Ori's as he rested his head on the edge of the bed. His fingers gently rub the top of Ori's hand as he takes in slow breaths through his nose. Dori had always worried about his youngest brother. Even though they didn't talk much before they joined the company, he always wanted the best for the young dwarf. It worried him whenever he saw Ori around Nori. Though Nori was also his brother, he wasn't known for making the best decisions. Nori was always getting into trouble. Running from the authorities. Never learning from his mistakes or caring about who his decisions affected. Last thing he wanted was for Ori to turn out that way.

Ori was still a young impressionable dwarf. He had an innocence about him that Dori had wanted to help preserve in his brother for as long as he possibly could. He did what he could to guide his brother down the right paths and to protect him. Even on this journey, all Dori did was watch out for him. Though if Dori had his way, Ori would have been left at home. It was the young Dwarfs drive for adventure and desire to see the world outside the blue mountains that made Ori protest Dori's stance against it. And it didn't help that Nori was all for Ori joining. While he believed in Thorin and his quest, Dori had also made the decision based on the fact that he could not stop Ori.

The company having been through so much already. The trolls, the goblins, Azog, the spiders, the elves of mirkwood and now this. Though, of everything that had happened, this was the worst. Poor Ori, sold to a twisted family who wanted nothing more than to hunt dwarves for sport. An experience that Dori had no doubt would be traumatizing for his baby brother. If Dori could, he would have traded places with Ori. Left him with this caring family, while he faced off against Halldora and his kids. At least then he would have known Ori was safe.

"I'm so sorry" Dori says with a sigh as his thumb continues to gently rub against Ori's hand.

"Why?" Ori questions in a raspy voice as his eyes slowly open. His vision focusing on his brother who sat beside the bed. Ori gives a faint smile as he squeezes his brothers hand. "You didn't do anything"

Dori sits up as Ori wakes up, still holding his brothers hand. He smiles, shaking his head to his brother as he mentions the fact that he didn't do anything. And that was pretty much it. He didn't do anything. He couldn't do anything, but that didn't mean he didn't feel responsible for his brother safety.

"Doesn't matter" Dori replies as he leans over, placing a hand on Ori's forehead to check for a feverl.

Ori scrunches his face as his brother begins mothering him. As usual. He gently bats his brothers hand away from him with a pout.

Dori rolls his eyes at his brother as he manages to feel that the fever had broke, his temperature returning to normal.

"Fevers gone" Dori says with a light smile and a nod.

"I could have told you that" Ori says with a smirk, trying to hide the fact that he was tired. Ori lets go of Dori's hand as he tries to shift himself up a little in bed. The movement shooting a sharp pain from the wound in his back. Ori freezes a moment before giving up and just returning to the original position.

"You need to rest" Dori states in his motherly tone, even though Ori hated that. Ori always trying to show Dori that he didn't need mothering, that he was a capable dwarf who could take care of himself.

Ori lets out a small sigh as he nods. He couldn't argue with that fact. His back hurt, and even though the fever was broken and Ori wanted to be up and about, he was in actuality incredibly fatigued. He just thought that he could hide it in an attempts to make Dori believe he was fine.

"Are you hungry?" Dori asks in a soothing voice. "Do you want me to get you anything?"

"Water would be nice" Ori replies with a light smile, accepting the fact that whether he liked it or not, Dori was going to take care of him.

"Of course" Dori replies with a slight nod as he stands himself up. "Anything else?"

Ori shakes his head. The only good thing about Halldora was that the hunter kept him and the others well fed. But just when Dori was about to leave the room to retrieve some water, he speaks.

"What of Nori?"

Dori stops in his step as he glances back to Ori.

"We're working on that" Dori replies. "We will get Nori and the others back"

Chapter Text

Nori and Balin lay on the beds in their shared room. Both of them just staring up at the ceiling, unable to get any sleep that night as neither of them had seen or heard from Kili since he was taken away. Both of them having been rewarded for their obedience with none other than some sweets. Sweets that both dwarves had passed on, as politely as they could. Though Nori was really close to telling Aislinn where she could shove them. After that, the two of them were given a short list of chores that needed to be done around the home. Nothing major as it was their first day, just some basic housecleaning tasks. Balin given a broom to sweep the floors while Nori was given the task of dusting. A task Nori despised, and not because he hated the idea of dusting, as lets face it, dwarves lived in the mountain...., but because every place that required dusting was high and out of reach. Both Nori and Balin knowing she had Nori do it to make his life more difficult.

Still, the pair made due until they had been shown to their room for the night. The dwarves given a pair of plain linen pajamas to sleep in for the night.

"You should have let me go after Kili" Nori says as he just stares at the dark ceiling above him, his hands resting behind his head. "At least Kili wouldn't have been alone"

"If there is to be any hope of escape, we need to proceed with caution" Balin replies in a clam voice, masking the fact that he felt awful for leaving Kili the way he did. He also chose to leave out the part about how he was worried about what they would do to Nori, knowing that of the three of them, he had already been placed at the bottom of the totem pole.

As a little light begins peering through the tiny window on the wall, the door to their room is unlocked. Steve the Orc opens the door, throwing a fresh uniform at Nori and one at Balin. Nori lets out a groan as the vest lands on his head. He reluctantly sits up as he peels the top off his head.

"Guess that is our wakeup call..." Nori states in an exhausted voice, dreading what the day would hold for them.

It wasn't long before Nori and Balin were changed into their uniforms and stepping out of their room. The instructions before bed was that in the morning they were to wait outside their room for inspections and task distribution. Of course, this was only Aislinn's protocol until the dwarves fully get themselves into a routine and could be more trusted. Nori stands with a slight slouch outside his door with Balin beside him. As they wait, the door from the room across from theirs opens. A completely worn out Kili walks out. His eyes heavy, his hair a little messy from air dying through the night. His complexion pale as he spent the night soaking wet on the cold floor, his clothes still damp when he had awoken by the orc who had who had also just thrown a fresh uniform at him. His whole body ached.

"Kili!" Balin and Nori both exclaimed when they finally saw their friend. Both of them about to go to their friends side.

"Stop" A commanding voice says from the top of the stairs. Both Balin and Nori freezing in their steps.

Aislinn comes down the stairs, her hair tied neatly with flowers poking out as she greets the dwarves. "I trust you all slept well" she says as she stops in front of Balin giving him a pleasant smile. She reaches a hand out to the dwarfs shoulder, gently brushing a piece of dust off the shoulder before looking to Nori. Her smile looking more forced as Nori stares back at her with a bottled up rage for not only what she had done to him but to Kili. She licks her thumb as she then leans in, rubbing it against the dwarfs cheek. Nori pulls his head away from the woman as she then reaches for his beard, brushing out a few loose hairs. His hands balling into fists as he holds back the urge to smack her hand away.

"You'd probably be more appealing to the eye without the beard" she comments as she gives Nori's shoulders a quick brush with her hands.

"I'd much rather keep my beard" Nori replies in a calm voice, as he forces himself to hold back his tongue.

"Then you better ensure you stay on my good side".

Finally, she turns around to Kili with a frown on her face. She lets out a small sigh as she approaches him, crouching down as she cups the dwarfs face in her hands. "I'm so sorry" she says in a soft voice.

Kili silently seethes on the inside as she dares apologize to him for what her and her husband had done.

"Don't worry, you'll be with me today" she says, almost as though those words would make Kili feel better. "I'll take care of you"

-------------------

As it was the day before, the tasks between Nori and Balin were based clearly on favoritism. Balin tasked with tending to the gardens. Weeding the flowers, watering them and picking any vegetables that were ready to be harvested. He was also asked to help Joe in the kitchen when he was finished with the gardens. Nori on the other hand was sent to the stables to tend to the horses. Tasked with bathing the horses, feeding them and cleaning every inch of the stalls. And while Nori was fine with tending to animals, being a dwarf, he usually dealt with ponies. The sheer size of a full grown horse was his main issue. And it wasn't just a single horse, they had five horses. Then after he was finished with the stables, he was to do the laundry, ensuring the clothes were thoroughly washed and all hung to dry. Because once again, it made total sense to have the dwarf hang the clothes up on clothesline that sat a good four feet higher than Nori. And to finish off the day, he was to do the dishes.

Kili on the other hand, was actually given a bit of a break as it was clear he was in no condition to be doing any sort of work. So once the tasks were divvied up, unfairly, between the dwarves and two orcs, Aislinn had requested Kili follow her.

Like a lost puppy, with no other choice, he did.

She leads Kili into the dining room where Joe was setting down plates of sausages, biscuits and other foods onto the table. Garret sits at the head as he watches his wife enter the room with Kili.

"Take a seat" She says as she pulls a chair out, for Kili.

"Really dear?" Garett questions as he watches his wife place a plate in front of Kili as she takes a seat beside him. "What kind of lesson are we teaching if we reward him after punishment...."

Aislinn lets out as a sigh as she reaches for the bowl of scrambled eggs, taking the spoon that rested on the inside. She takes a heaping scoop of the eggs, plopping it onto Kili's plate before helping herself.

"Kili went all night with neither food nor rest. How do you expect him to work if he can barely stand?" she states as she reaches for a biscuit, once again, placing it onto the dwarfs plate. Kili just staring at it, hungry, yes, but not really wanting to eat this. Aislinn places a hand on Kili's back. "Eat up!"

Kili hesitates as he picked up the fork that was sitting beside the plate. He reluctantly stabs some of the eggs, shoving them into his mouth.

"Funny, you never considered that when Steve and Joe arrived " Garett replies, almost starting to wish he had left Kili. "And what about our servants before them?"

"Those were orcs, why should I care?"

"And what of the other dwarves? You planning on inviting them to the table as well? Why don't we invite the orcs and all eat together!"

"This is just for today, to help Kili get his strength back!"

Kili sits there quietly, taking another fork full of eggs as the married couple fights. The dwarf prince almost enjoying watching them argue. The dwarf prince also realizing that the tension between them could potentially work to his advantage. Though he would need to tred carefully around Garett.

Garett lets out a frustrated breath as he pinches the bridge of hia nose. Kili starting to become his least favorite of the dwarves he brought home.

"It better be. Because that dwarf needs to know his place here. He is here to serve us, not break bread!" His tone was one of great annoyance as he glared at Kili. "I also think we need to change that name. In fact, we should rename all three of them, let them know who the master of the house is!"

"Last I checked, you got Kili specially for me. Change the others names if you wish but this one is mine to do as I please, and I quite like the name Kili. It suits him."

With one more frustrated breath, Garett sets his fork down on the plate. "I'm finished here" he states as he stands up from the table, walking out of dining room really regretting his decision. "Should have left that dwarf" he mumbles to himself as he leaves.

--------------------

After breakfast, Aislinn brings Kili upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms. Room that were mostly there for show and rarely used as very few people stayed longer than dinner.

"Here, get some rest" she says as she opens the door to the room, gently giving Kili a little shove towards the plush bed. "while I prepare a warm bath for you"

Kili shakes his head at the mention of a bath. Warm or not, the last thing he wanted was to be near any sort of water. Not after the agonizing hour he had spent with Garett. Wondering when it was going to stop. Not being allowed to take proper breaths before going under and not knowing when he was coming back up for air. Freezing on the floor as his body was numb. The dwarf prince not even sure if he would ever be able to go near water after that experience.

"Alright, just get some rest then" she states. "and this afternoon, we'll get you started on some chores"

Kili gives a small nod to Aislinn as she turns to leave the room. As she starts pulling the door closed, she pauses a moment. "And my husband is right" she suddenly states. "Do not get used to this."

As the door is closed, Kili walks over to the bed, sitting on its side with a sigh. Part of him wanting to try running again, but after what happened last time, for all he knew this was another trick. Laying himself back onto the bed, Kili rolls onto his side, bringing his knees up as he curls up. "Fili..." he cries out quietly, as he closes his eyes, wanting nothing more than to be with his brother.

-------------------------

"We've had that dwarf a day and already you coddle him" Garett says from behind his wife as she leaves Kili.

"Maybe if you didn't try to drown him"

"I was honoring your request! He is not physically damaged!"

"And I appreciate that, but did you really have to go so hard on the first day? He's lucky he didn't catch a cold!"

"A cold? Really? Why does that matter if he gets sick or not? He failed the test! He tried to run and paid the consequences for it. I needed to teach him, and the other ones, that we do not take lightly to disobedience. A slap on the wrist isn't going to teach these dwarves anything. You're sending the wrong message! Before you know it, they're not going to take my punishments seriously because you decide they need to eat at OUR table and sleep in OUR beds!"

"I don't think a days rest is going to give the dwarf the wrong message. He is aware that this is a one time thing. Besides, I want him at this best!"

"His best?"

"You know I have high standards. Besides, it's been a while since we hosted guests." Aislinn says as she smiles flirtatiously at her husband, leaning into him as she wraps her arms around his neck as she gives him a light kiss on the lips. "I think it would be fun. Fancy cheeses, wine...music...."

Garett smirks when she suggests the idea of having a dinner party. And he really couldn't say no to his wife. "Alright, if you want to host a party, we can have a party"

Chapter Text

Bilbo's stomach growls as he lets out a frustrated sigh. He looks at the metal cup of water on the floor with the small pile of bread rolls that were piling up beside it. Though it didn't compare to the pile in Thorin's cell.

"How you doing in there?" Bilbo questions as he looks to the exhausted dwarf King.

"Do you really need to ask?" Thorin questions back with a cocked brow as he looks to the halfling. Thorin's eyes heavy as he hadn't really been sleeping, his stomach killing him as he had been refusing to eat off the floor like a dog. "We would have been better off left with the elves" he says with distain in his voice. Words he never thought he would never mutter.

"You don't mean that" Bilbo replies.

"At least the elves left us with some dignity" Thorin spits out, knowing that his father would be rolling in his grave if he heard him say that.

Bilbo lets out a frustrated sigh as he leans against the back wall. Both of them growing more impatient as time went by. Neither prepared for what was going to come down the stairs.

"You have no right to be holding that Dwarf here!" a familiar voice states as face pace footsteps come down the stairs.

"He and his company were trespassing on my land, so I'd say it was fair game"

"Yeah, well he trespassed on my land first!"

Thorin lets out a small groan as he stands himself up from his seated position. He rolls back his shoulders as he prepares himself for what was without a doubt coming his way.

Thranduil reaches the last step, his eyes immediately honing in on Thorin. He smirks as he steps with haste to the front of the cell. "You really thought you could outsmart us and get away?"

"Looks to me like I was successful" Thorin replies back with a smirk. "Look at how long it took you to even find me"

Thranduil reaches through the bars, taking a hold of Thorin's tunic, pulling the dwarf king close to him. He leans in, trying to be intimidating to the dwarf king. Thorin gives a cocky smile to the elf, not even flinching at the motion.

"King Thranduil, if you really want the dwarf that bad, you can have him" Albold says calmly as he approaches the elf from the side.

"Good, then open the cell and we'll be on our way!" Thranduil replies as he lets go of Thorin, the dwarf king taking a small step back.

"Ah-ta-ta...Let me finish" Albold adds as there was no way he wasn't going to just hand the dwarf over. "You can have him, if you win him at the auction this afternoon"

Thranduil pinches the bridge of his nose when Albold adds on the bit about having to bid on the dwarf. "Excuse me, what?" he states as he looks up at the hunter with a surprised look of confusion on his face. "I don't think you realize who you are speaking to"

"Oh, I know exactly whom I am speaking to. King Thranduil, ruler of the woodland realm. But this is not the woodland realm" Albold replies firmly. "Therefor, you have no command here. Thorin is a very popular Dwarf around these parts. If I really wanted to, I could easily make some gold by turning him into Azog for the bounty he placed on the dwarfs head."

With everything that was happening, Thorin had no choice but to take in these little moments for his amusement. Seeing Thranduil being put in his place was one of those moments. The king just so smug and full of himself. And even though Albold had mentioned the Pale orc, he already knew the man wasn't going to turn him over as he would have done so already.

Bilbo steps close to the bars, as he watches the elf and the man argue over Thorin and who he actually belonged to.

"Excuse me..." Bilbo interrupts in his usual calm voice. "But I'm pretty sure Thorin is his own dwarf."

Thranduil looks to Bilbo with a cocked brow. "Wait a second, are you the one who broke my prisoners out? You're the halfling!?"

"Bilbo Baggins, at your service" Bilbo says with a slight bow, "Well, at his service" he adds on, gesturing his head to Thorin in the cell beside him.

"I command you hand these two degenerates over to me this instant!" Thranduil demands with a slight stomp from his right foot as he turns his attention back to Albold with anger.

"What about the rest of the dwarves, I'm pretty sure I broke lets see...one two....three....bofur....ori...." Bilbo playfully counts out loud, as he tries to rile up the elf king. "thirteen dwarves if I recall?" he stresses a little as he looks to Thorin with a cocky smirk on his face.

"Thirteen of us you held in your dungeons" Thorin states as he decides to play along with Bilbo, knowing that the hobbit was clearly up to something. "Yet only one stands before you"

Thranduil lets out a small huff as the two were right. He did have thirteen dwarf prisoners in total. Even though Thorin was the most important of them all, what would people think if he just let the others go.

Albold places a hand on Thranduil's shoulder as he sees the elf getting visibly upset. He shoots a glare at Bilbo and Thorin, as he picks up on the fact that they were purposely trying to anger the elf king.

"Don't touch me!" Thranduil exclaims as he smacks the mans hand off of his shoulder, his face looking disgusted that he dare place his filthy hands upon him. "I want these two, and I want those other dwarves returned to me"

"Like I said, you can have these two if you're the highest bidder this afternoon" Albold replies with a shrug. "As for the others though, can't help you there"

Thranduil lets out a frustrated grumbles as he shoves himself past Albold. "You're going to regret this" he exclaims with a childlike whine in his voice as he stomps his way back upstairs.

Albold lets out a sigh as he shakes his head. "I'll see you this afternoon" he calls out as the Elf disappears, not caring that Thranduil was probably too far to even hear him with the speed he was storming out. He then looks back to Thorin and Bilbo with his arms crossed, a smirk forming on his face. "Well, lets get you two ready, shall we?"

Chapter Text

Another night passed and Fili once again slept in his small crate. The dwarf uncomfortably curled up until he was jolted awake by the rough jostling of the crate.

He lets out a tired groan as Jessie opens the door, allowing Fili to crawl out.

"Good morning Bingo!" She says cheerfully as she wraps her arms around the dwarf.

Fili sits there, allowing the girl to get her morning hug in, the dwarf just sitting still, completely defeated. Tired of trying to fight back. At least for the moment.

"And how are your feet doing?!" She asks as she pulls out of the hug, taking a hold of one of his ankles, stretching the leg out straight.

Fili winces a little as she begins to peel back the bandage to check the wound on his left foot. The foot still badly scared from the burn, with several blisters forming around the dead skin. Jessie lets out a frown as she fully removes the bandage.

"That looks painful. Don't worry, Doctor Jessies going to make you all better!" She says with excitement as she jumps up from her spot, running out of the room.

Fili lets out a small frustrated sigh as he allows his upper body to drop back to the floor. He stares up at the ceiling, hoping that everyone else was faring better than him. Especially Kili.

After a few moments, Jessie returns with the ointment and fresh bandages. She sits down cross legged in front of Fili, taking his foot back into her lap. "This is going to sting..." she says with warning.

This was a fact Fili was already aware of, considering they had been tending to the wounds, that they created, three times a day.

As she applies the ointment to the bottom of his foot, Fili breathes in a hiss. His foot burning for a few seconds before finally coming down to a cooling sensation. With that foot finished, she bandages it back up and moves onto the other one.

Once she was finished with the other foot, Jessie stands back up. She moves beside Fili, extending her hand out to the dwarf.

"Come on Bingo! Breakfast time!"

Fili closes his eyes a moment before he just takes her hand, the girl pulling the dwarf back up to a seated position.

She then crouches down a little with her back to the dwarf as she gestures for him to get on her back.

"Up! Up!" She commands in a playful voice.

Seeing that the other option was to crawl on all fours, he opted for the piggyback. Fili reaches his arms around the girl as she lets out a small grunt. She pulls him up until she was able to grab his thighs for support.

"You're heavier than you look!" Jessie exclaims as she carries the dwarf out of her room.

"Good morning dear!" Hunter says in a cheerful voice to his daughter as he sips his morning coffee. "How is Bingo doing today?"

"Quiet, but I'm sure he'll open up eventually!" she says, talking for Fili, not that he wanted to talk. She sets him down on the floor beside the table. Fili immediate backing himself against the wall as he just sits there.

Jessie hops onto the chair, sitting across from her father.

"It'll take some time to adjust" Hunter replies, looking to Fili with threatening eyes. "Give him a few days and I'm sure he'll be everything you've ever wanted from a pet"

Jessie nods to her father as her mother comes out with three large plates with a stack of pancakes and bacon on them as well as a smaller plate with one pancake and a couple bacon strips. She sets the three large plates on the table before setting the smaller one on the floor beside Fili.

Fili takes the plate, setting it on his lap as he just eats the pancake with his hands. At least he was being fed normal food, even if it wasn't the usual amounts a fully grown dwarf would consume.

"Do you think Bingo will be alright tomorrow evening if left him alone for a few hours?" Cora asks as she cuts herself a piece of pancake.

Filis ears perk up a little as he hears them mention him being left alone potentially. If there was a time to try and escape, it would be then....and he would find a way to work through his inability to walk.

"I don't know" Hunter says as he takes a hesitant breath.

"Can't I bring him to the party?!" Jessie exclaims with a pout. "I can show him off to my friends! I bet they'd be jealous!"

Hunter eyes Fili, part of him thinking it might be risky. If any one of them took their eyes of the dwarf, even for a minuet, he could sneak away. But if they left him here, it was more of a risk. "I don't know, you know how Aislinn is....." he states knowing that she was a very peculiar woman who cared deeply about images and Fili didn't have much of a wardrobe.

"Please daddy?" She begs, clasping her hands together as she gives him puppy dog eyes.

"Fine, you can bring Bingo." He finally replies, giving into his daughter. "But, you need to clean him up. She won't like it you brought a dwarf into he home looking like he was just brought in off the streets"

Fili shoots Hunter a glare when he insults his appearance. It wasn't his fault that the only clothes he had were the ones on his back.

"I can do that!" Jessie squeels as she shoves the last pancake into her mouth. She jumps out of her chair, leaping at Fili as she cups his face into her hands, squishing his cheeks together as he was in the middle of eating a piece of bacon. "I'm going to make you look so pretty! Everyone is going to love you!" She exclaims with a wide grin on her face.

Fili nervously swallows the food in his mouth.

------------------

The party might not be until the next night but Jessie knew exactly what she and Fili were going to do today.

She carries Fili back upstairs to her room, this time dropping the dwarf onto her bed. Fili watches as she runs to her closet, pulling out as many dresses as she could.

"Now I don't have much for boy clothes but that doesn't matter!" She squees as she drops the pile of clothes on the bed beside Fili. She leans over the dwarf, reaching for his tunic.

"N-no..." he finally chokes out as he pulls away from the girl.

"Oh don't be shy!" Jessie replies as she pulls Fili back, grabbing the bottom his his tunic, forcing it over the Dwarfs head. "You're going to be getting a bath later, can't let you go to the party smelling like a peasant!"

Fili struggles against the girl removing his shirt but ultimately fails as he's left sitting on the bed, topless. He crosses his arms over his chest as he eyes the first dress Jessie holds up. A pink v-neck dress with puffy sleeves that flared out at the bottom with white frills. Fili shakes his head as he pleas with his eyes for her to just leave him be.

Jessie looks at the dress, holding it up to Fili. She tilts her head a little as she stares. "You're right" she says as she tosses the dress to the floor. "Maybe this one" she quickly says, holds up another dress.

Before Fili knew it, he was in a light green dress with a white lace trim. Jessie tilts her head as she once again looks over the dwarf. "That ones a maybe" she says with uncertainty.

"I'd really rather not wear a dress...." Fili finally says, hoping he could reason with the girl. "Please. I miss my brother. I just want to go home...."

Jessie frowns when Fili speaks. "This is your home" she replies with a smile, placing a hand atop of Fili's head, gently scratching the dwarf behind the ear. "And maybe we can get you a new brother!"

Fili takes a hold of Jessies wrist with his hand, giving a stern look at Jessie. "No." He states, trying to get through. "I. Am. Not. A. Dog." Fili says as Jessie looks back, stunned by this. "My name is not Bingo. My name is Fili. My brother Kili is out there somewhere. Please. Just let me go".

"You're hurting me...." she exclaims as Fili holds her wrist, her own eyes starting to water. She tries pulling her wrist away, only for Fili to grip it tighter. His eyes watering as he just wants to go back to his brother. Even if it means being in a cell with that crazed lunatic Albold.

"You have to realize that what you're doing is wrong....I belong with my brother. " Fili takes in a slow breath through is nose as he keeps his eyes focused on Jessie.

"No!" Jessie yells out as she pulls her arm away. "You belong here! With me!" She shoves Fili off her bed during her little outburst. He lands on the floor with a loud thud, his eyes closed as he winces. As he opens his eyes hes met with Hunter, standing over him with a very displeased look on his face.

Hunter reaches down, grabbing Fili by the shoulder as he pulls the dwarf up to his feet. Fili hisses as pressure is placed on his feet, a stinging burn is sent up his legs as he tries not to scream. His knees start shaking as he grits his teeth together. Hunters grip on Filis shoulder tightens as he watches his daughter wipe her tears away.

"Here I was bringing you a gift" Hunter spits out, tossing a little box onto the bed in front of daughter. "And all I see is you ungrateful mutt hurting my daughter!"

"N-no- I didn't " Fili lets out as he feels hunters nails digging into his shoulder, causing a little distraction from his aching feet.

"Yes you did!" She yells back with a pout. "He grabbed my wrist really tight and told me he didn't want to be here. He doesn't like me...."

Hunter lets go of Fili's shoulders, the dwarf immediately dropping to the floor as his legs just collapse beneath him. His feet just absolutely pulsing as he lands on his elbows. Fili closes his eyes as he knows something bad was going to come his way.

Hunter walks over Fili, taking a seat on the bed beside Jessie. "Sweety" he says calmly as he pulls her into a comforting hug. "Bingo is still adjusting to his new life here, its probably very scary for him."

Fili places his forehead on the floor beneath him when he hears the man talking. His hands clenched tightly into fists as he just starts crying. These people were insane and there was nothing he could do.

"He will come around" he says as he as he grabs the box that had 'Bingo' written on the tag. "Here, why don't you open this up"

Jessie pulls away from the hug, taking the box in her hand. She unwraps it, opening up the little box. Inside a leather collar with the name 'Bingo' engraved in it. She smiles brightly when she looks at it. "Hes going to love it!"

Jessie hugs her dad tightly, giving him a kiss on the cheek before jumping off the bed. She steps in front of Fili, who was currently on all fours, head still planted on the floor. She crouches down to him, placing a hand under his chin as she gently brings his head up to look at her. "Look at what daddy got you!" She hums joyfully.

Fili shakes his head as he pulls away, shoving himself from being on all fours, now onto his bottom as he shifts himself away from her. "Please....don't do this...."

Hunter lets out a frustrated sigh as he too gets off the bed, moving behind Fili as he crouches down behind the dwarf. "Go on" he whispers in a threatening tone, not allowing the dwarf to move back any further.

Fili closes his eyes as Jessie crawls closer to him. She unhooks the leather collar as she leans forward, gently sliding the strap around the dwarfs neck. She adjusts it to his size, finally doing up the clasp. She pulls back with a small clap of the hands, beaming with joy. "It fits you perfectly!"

Hunter places his hands on Filis shoulders as he leans in close. "I'm going to let you off with a final warning /Bingo/ because I'm in a good mood" he says with emphasis on the name. "You live here. You belong to Jessie. If you say or do anything to upset her again, well, there are things I can do to you that you couldn't even begin to imagine. Do you understand?"

Fili closes his eyes as he starts to realize that it probably wasn't Jessie herself that killed her last 'pet', but rather Hunter who was currently instilling fear into the dwarf. He silently shakes his head, as his eyes glance down to the floor.

"Good boy" Hunter says as he places a hand on Fili's head, roughly messing his hair. Suddenly an idea hits Hunter as he leans his head over Fili's shoulder, taking the dwarfs chin in his hand, forcing the dwarf to look ahead at Jessie along with him. A sadistic smile forming on his face that Fili notices in his peripheral.

"You know Jessie, if you want to dress him in one of your fancy dresses...." he suddenly adds, pointing out the fancy dresses she was having Fili try on. "I could clean him up a little for you" Hunter arches a brow as he runs a finger along the dwarfs beard. Fili's eyes widening in absolute horror as he realizes the man is suggesting shaving off his facial hair.

Chapter Text

It didn't take long for the dwarves to make themselves at home at Rigby's place. Bombur had familiarized himself with the kitchen on the upper floor and had pretty much turned it into his own domain. He had spent the time there just cooking, eating and essentially emptying everything from Rigby's pantry. He even spent a good chunk of the morning with Melody, helping her bake some goodies to try and sell at the market. Dori had found himself a nice book on one of Rigby's shelves and cuddled up on a large chair to have some quiet time to himself while he left Ori alone to get some rest of his own. Oin spent most of his time in the basement, curiously looking over Rigby's research. He spent hours just looking through notes, books and even examining some of Rigby's home made elixir's, curious as to what their benefits were and if they were something that could be of use to him. And Bofur found himself taking time to play with Logan, finding the child's smile just as infectious as his own.

Of course not all the dwarves were able to find themselves comfortable just sitting around and waiting as time passed them by. Bifur and of course, Dwalin hated that they were sitting around comfortably. Their friends were out there and they wanted nothing more than to put Albold in his place and free them.

"We should be out there, not hiding like a bunch of scared rats!" Dwalin spits out as he paces around.

Bifur replies in Khuzdul, agreeing with Dwalin.

"I want to go out and help as much as you" Gloin adds, trying to be the voice of reason, knowing that there wasn't much they could do at the moment. At least not safely. "The townsfolk outnumber us and we don't know where anyone is"

"We know where Thorin and Bilbo are" Dwalin states when Gloin tries using the lack of location knowledge as a reason to not go out.

"Aye, and how do you expect to get past Albold and his men without weapons?"

While the dwarves were alone in the house, Siegfried, Melody and Rigby had all split up. Each on their own little mission of their own.

Melody had gone to try and make some money at the market by selling some breads and cakes that Bombur had helped her make. She had even tried capitalizing on it by stating it was some special "dwarven" recipe that her new caretaker had given her, allowing her to sell it at a higher price as it was not something people could normally get in these parts.

Rigby and Siegfried however had left to do their own investigating. Rigby deciding to visit the Hunter estate, and Siegfried going to Garett's. Neither of them knowing exactly what they were doing but wanting to check in on the state of the dwarves none the less.

---------------

Rigby knocks on the front door of Hunter and Cora's home. Like everyone else in the town, they knew who he was. He had healed them before in the past and without a doubt would continue to heal them in the future. In his hand he holds a small medical bag.

The door opens, and Rigby is greeted by Cora's polite smile.

"Rigby, I don't believe we were expecting you" she says with surprise in her voice.

"You weren't " he replies, pointing out the obvious. "I just wanted to check in and see how the new dwarf is doing"

Rigby wasn't one for subtilty. He didn't have much of a story he could use and really wasn't one for acting so he just took the blunt route.

"Oh?" Cora looks at him confused when he speaks. "He is doing fine...I think he's upstairs playing with Jessie....why?"

"Just doing my due diligence as healer and making sure he's not ill"

Cora raises a brow as Rigby speaks. "Did Albold send you?"

"Yes" he replies suddenly. "You took the dwarf before he could have a health check. Its just a standard check up. You know, make sure he isn't carrying any diseases or parasites...."

It wasn't technically a lie, he was taken before any inspections were made. He just left out the bit about how he didn't actually do any health inspections.

Cora leads Rigby to the upstairs where he could hear what sounds like muffled crying. Cora gently knocks on her daughters bedroom door before opening it.

"Jessie sweety, Rigby here needs to borrow Bingo for a few minuets"

Rigby enters into the room to see Jessie laying on her bed with a book while Fili was in the crate, on his side facing the end if the bed curled up.

"No...no...that crate is way too small" Rigby says as he enters into the room, immediately noting the conditions Fili was being kept.

"It worked fine for our last pet"

"That was a goblin, wasn't it? There is a size difference between the two"

"I'll make sure Hunter builds something a little larger"

Rigby nods to Cora as he approaches the crate. He keeps his face neutral and emotionless as he didn't want to cause any suspicion. "You said his name was..."

"Bingo!" Jessie exclaims as she sets the book down and flops to the end of the bed. "Daddy says he's still adjusting to his new home, so has a little sad now but he'll come around! Right Bingo?!"

Jessie leans on the top of the crate, looking down on the dwarf while Fili just stays curled in his spot. The dwarf prince tucking his head further into his chest as he just tries to hide from everyone and pretend he was somewhere else.

------------------

While Rigby had the excuse of being a healer, Siegfried needed to be a little more creative with his reason for being there.

He didn't know the family very well, other than they were high society and didn't associate themselves with people like him and Melody. A fact that Siegfried had decided to play to his advantage as they would not know him.

As he approaches the door, Siegfried hears some grumbling coming from the side of the house. Curiously, he walks in that direction and when he comes around the corner he sees Nori. The dwarf wringing out a shirt he had just finished washing.

He notices that the dwarf looked exhausted. Covered in dirt, which was from the stables he had spent his entire morning in. Nori steps onto a box as he reaches for the peg to hang the shirt up.

"Here, allow me...." Siegfried offers as he approaches, taking the shirt and clipping it to the line.

".....thanks" Nori replies with a confused look as he steps off the box. His legs pulsing from the constant up and down motion of having to use a box to reach things.

"Nori, who is this man and who gave you permission to speak with him?"

Nori lets out a frustrated grumble as he hears Aislinn's voice. He shoots the stranger a glare as he knows he was going to get scolded. Not that she needed a reason to do that.

"I don-"

"My name is Siegfried and it is not his fault, I approached him" Siegfried states, cutting the dwarf off.

Aislinn approaches with her arms crossed as she eyes the stranger on her property, talking to her property.

"And what business do you have with my dwarf?"

"None, I actually came to speak with the master of the house but got distracted when I noticed how hard this dwarf was working" Siegfried pauses a moment. He was trying to keep the dwarf from getting into any trouble but even that statement seemed unbelievable. "What I mean is, my wife and I purchased a dwarf and we're having trouble controlling him. So I thought perhaps I'd come to someone who has the most experience and well, seeing how dedicated this one is to serving-"

"I get it" Aislinn states, cutting off the man as he was just rambling on.

"You're having trouble with controlling your dwarf?"

"Yes, and everyone knows about your orcs. It's rather impressive how you've got them serving you without question."

Aislinn steps beside Nori, placing a hand on the dwarfs shoulder. "The key to that is the training" she says as she keeps her eyes on Siegfried. "You need to instill fear into them. Let them know who is in charge"

Aislinn starts squeezing Nori's shoulder as she speaks. The dwarf wincing a little as he tries to keep himself calm. She then kicks the back of Nori's knees, forcing him down into a kneel.

"And if they step out of line" Aislinn shoves Nori as hard as she can, the dwarf falling forward into the bucket of water he was using to wash the clothes. As he catches the edge, the bucket tips. The water empties onto Nori completely soaking the dwarf from head to toe. Nori spits water out of his mouth as he takes in a deep breath, trying to hold back some choice words he wanted to say to the woman. "You put them back in their place"

"Ishkh khakfe andu null" Nori finally mutters back under his breath as he wrings out his shirt, still kneeling on the ground.

"What did you say?" Aislinn questions as she shoots a threatening glare down at the dwarf.

"Nothing" Nori snaps back.

Aislinn takes a hold of Nori by the ear, tugging hard. Nori winces as he's pulled back onto his feet, his nose wrinkling as he grits his teeth together. He takes a hold of Aislinn's wrist as he starts prying her hand off of him, causing her to pinch his ear tighter.

"I don't normally invite the common folk but I'll make an exception" Aislinn says, still holding Nori close by the ear. "Come by tomorrow evening. Bring your dwarf, I'm sure Garett would love to demonstrate some of his techniques"

Siegfried forces a smile as she invites him and his wife to her event. "Sounds fun" he replies with little enthusiasm in his voice, his eyes looking apologetic to the dwarf as Siegfried couldn't do much to help him.

----------------------

Melody stands at her little stall, counting the money she had made so far. The baked goods doing way better than she had expected as everything had sold. As she pockets her money and begins packing up her things she notices people beginning to crowd around in the center of the market. Curiously, she makes her way through the crowd to see a small stage set up.

"I have here before you a rare treat" Albold announces loudly to the crowd. "Thorin Oakenshield, from the line of Durin"

Thorin is shoved forward onto the stage by Tomlin. His hands now bound in front of him and a gag tied around his mouth. Thorin lets out a frustrated growl as he pushes back against Tomlin, the man planting his foot into the ground as he holds Thorin by the shoulders.

Chapter Text

"I have here before you a rare treat" Albold announces loudly to the crowd. "Thorin Oakenshield, from the line of Durin"

Thorin is shoved forward onto the stage by Tomlin. His hands now bound in front of him and a gag tied around his mouth. Thorin lets out a frustrated growl as he pushes back against Tomlin, the man planting his foot into the ground as he holds Thorin by the shoulders.

"This dwarf is sought out by many. Though the bounty placed upon his head by Azog the defiler is miniscule in comparison to the treasure that only he can unlock"

Thorin glances over to Albold as he speaks. The man holds up his key to Erebor, an item that he had confiscated from the dwarf when they were first imprisoned by him.

"That is right" he states with confidence as he moves across the stage, placing a hand across Thorin's shoulders as Tomlin takes a step back. "I'm sure you're all aware of the great kingdom of Erebor and the treasure held within. We have all heard the stories of the treasure lost within."

"Why aren't you going after it?" Someone yells out from the crowd, skeptical as to why he would forfeit such a treasure.

"I already have everything I could ever have within this town" Albold replies. Though the honest answer was that he was well aware of the dragon that dwelled within and didn't want anything to do with it. If the dragon was no longer there or somehow they manage to slay it, there was nothing stopping Albold and his men from entering the mountain and taking the treasure for themselves. He wasn't stupid.

As Albold speaks, an arrow comes flying past his head. The tip slicing through his cheek as it continues into a nearby lamp post. Albold doesn't even flinch as a smirk forms on his face. "Thranduil, glad you can make it" he states as he spots the Elf king in the crowd with legolas beside him, holding his bow out as he had just fired the shot. "Though if you're unable to keep things civil, I am going to have to request you leave"

Four men walk through the crowd towards the two elves with swords out, ready to forcefully removes the elves if they didn't stand down.

Thrandiul says something in elvish to Legolas. The two of them having a quick back and forth before Legolas lowers his bow.

"Fine, we will play by your rules" Thrandiul says with annoyance as he waves the men away. He then looks to Legolas, saying a few more words to the elf. Legolas gives a nod in response before finally placing the bow on his back. Legolas takes a few steps away from his father, making his way out of the crowd. The elves clearly changing their tactic.

Melody watches as Legolas leaves, torn between stopping the elf and staying to see where the dwarf and hobbit were going. But as the crowd begins screaming out random numbers, her choice is made.

"three hundred gold!" One man yells out.

"four hundred!"

Some people clearly buying into the idea of the unclaimed treasure buried deep within the mountain, while others had different plans, such of having him serve them or even just simply looking to turn him over to azog for the bounty as it would be more than enough to satisfy them.

"one thousand gold" Thranduil yells out, though he had no intention of paying anything. His plan to just thin out the crowd.

Melody pushes he way through the people. Some familiar to her, like Hunter and Garett, and others not so much. Travelers who had caught word of what Albold had in his hands.

"twelve hundred" Garett calls out.

"thirteen hundred" Thranduil yells.

"eighteen hundred" a strange man in a cloak yells out from the crowd.

Albold smiles as he leans a little on Thorin. "I knew you'd bring in the big bucks...." he says giving the dwarf a squeeze. As he does this, Thorin pulls his arms up and pulls his elbows into Albold's stomach. Albold buckles over as Tomlin jumps forward onto Thorin, kicking him from behind the knees and bringing the dwarf to the ground. Thorin lands on his stomach as Tomlin kneels on his back to subdue the dwarf.

Albold lets out a hissed breath as he straightens himself out. He forces a laugh as he shoots a glare at the dwarf King. "Feisty little thing, aren't you" he says, trying to play the strike off. He then reaches down, grabbing Thorin by the shirt collar, bringing him back to his feet as Tomlin takes a hold of the Dwarf from the shoulders.

"five thousand gold" The mysterious man in the cloak calls out as the crowd goes silent. Melody starts pushing herself closer to the mysterious man in the cloak, wanting to keep close watch on him.

Albold grins wildly as he accepts the offer of five thousand gold and as Tomlin pulls Thorin off the stage, Blane steps forward with the final item of the night. Bilbo. Also tied with his hands out front of him and gagged.

"And now for something truly never seen before in these parts" Albold exclaims as Bilbo is brought front and center. Bilbo holds the ring tightly in his hands as he stands there as calmly as he could. "A halfling"

Before Albold could even continue, a random person from the crowd yells.

"seventy gold!"

"two fifty!"

Bilbo smirks as he runs his fingers along the ring. His eyes examining the area around him.

"Seven hundred!" Hunter calls out.

Bilbo notices that most the people around here had knives or some sort of blade hanging off of them. It just came down to choosing one of easy access. And as he sees the cloaked man handing over a large sum of gold to Tomlin, Bilbo realizes that his time is running out. Taking in a small breath Bilbo raises his large foot up into the air, stomping it down as hard as he could onto Blanes foot. As he does this, he simultaneously pushes his weight into the man to try and push him back. As Blane lets go and stumbles back, Bilbo slips the ring onto his finger, disappearing from sight. The entire crowd gasps from the scene as Bilbo bolts towards Albold. The hobbit purposely runs into Albold, shoving him as he removes one of the small blades from the mans belt.

Albold stumbles back with a low growl as he was seemingly pushed by nothing. "Where is it?!" He exclaims as he catches himself, trying to figure out what had just happened. "FIND IT!"

Bilbo jumps off of the stage, crawling under it as people start to frantically rush the stage and its area. "Shoot!" Bilbo exclaims to himself as he awkwardly holds the knife in his hands. He watches as Thorin is loaded into an enclosed wagon as he starts using the knife to cut away at his ropes. "Come on...come on..!"

The cloaked figure places a lock on the back of the wagon, securing Thorin inside as he moves around to his horse.

The ropes drop from Bilbo's hands as he steps out from under the stage. Bilbo begins to weave between the people. Stopping every few steps to try and not bump into anyone until he finally reached the back of the wagon. Bilbo hops onto one of the steps from the back, taking the lock in his hand as he starts trying to pick at it with the knife he had in his hand. The hobbit completely focused on trying to break Thorin out as it starts to move.

Tomlin watches as the wagon starts to go off, having finished the transaction with the stranger. But just as he was about to go join the others for the frantic hunt for the Hobbit, he notices something odd. The lock on the back of the door looking as if someone was tampering with it, despite no one being there. As the wagon was still moving slowly, Tomlin goes into a small sprint after it. A part of him convinced he was crazy, but the other part of him positive that there was more than meets the eye involved. As he gets closer, he reaches a hand out, grasping at the wagon. His hand touching and closing on the hobbits arm.

With a firm yank, Bilbo is pulled off the back of the wagon. He lets out a surprised yelp as he was positive no one would have been able to see him. And as he was pulled back, the ring catches on the lock, causing it to slip off his finger. As Bilbo reappears in Tomlin's arms, the ring falls into the mud below. Unnoticed as Tomlin steps on it, further burying it into the mud. "NO!" Bilbo yells out as he not only loses the ring, but his friend was getting further away.

Tomlin wraps his arms tightly around the hobbit as he drags him back to the stage where everyone was still frantically searching for the halfling. The man grinning as he was the one to find him, when everyone else couldn't.

"How did you do that?" Albold questions as Bilbo is returned, the man cocking a curious brow at the hobbit.

"Do what?" Bilbo replies with a smirk as he stops trying to fight against Tomlin as even he knew it was useless at the moment. "I don't know what you're talking about"

Albold rolls his eyes impatiently as he just gestures to have Bilbo brought back to the center stage. If anything, he was positive the hobbit had just increased his value.

In the end, Bilbo was won by Hunter.

Chapter Text

Thorin watches in horror from the little window as Bilbo is yanked off the carriage. And the moment he appears the Dwarf King goes into a slight panic. Thorin begins slamming his shoulder into the door. "BI-MMM-O" He tries yelling loudly through the gag as he forces his shoulder into the wooden door.

Over and over and over again.

Thorin lets out mumbled yells as his shoulder rebounds off the wood. He then takes a step back from the door, kicking it with his heavy boot. The dwarf king relentlessly trying to break open the door as it makes its way out of the town.

The cloaked man in the front bangs on the back of the carriage.

"Settle down" he states in a calm voice, hearing all the commotion being caused by the Dwarf King.

As the horse turns down a trail just a few minuets outside of the down, several arrows fly through the air. They pierce the ground a few feet in front of the horse, forcing the man to come to a stop. Thorin was in the middle of trying to kick the door when the carriage itself came to a jolting stop. The dwarf king losing his balance as he stumbles onto the ground. He lets out a confused huff as he stands himself back up. He looks out the little window, letting out an annoyed groan when he sees it.

"Oh- cmmme hnonn" he mutters to himself, just wanting a damn break.

In the trees on the left stand three elves. On the right, three more. Emerging from the bushes in front, Legolas with an arrow drawn and aimed at the man on his horse.

"I'm going to ask you to hand over the dwarf" Legolas says calmly as he pulls back on the string, his eyes focused on the man ahead.

"and if I refuse?"

"Do you really have to ask?" Legolas replies as the other elves each draw another arrow, pulling back on the strings.

The cloaked traveler slowly raises his arms as he reaches for his horses reins. With a smirk on his face, he takes a hold of them and snaps them with a loud 'hya!'

The horse goes into a gallop. Stampeding towards Legolas. And as the horse gets closer, Legolas lowers his bow, leaping out of the way. But rather than allow the carriage to get away, he takes the arrow in his hand and stabs it into the wooden carriage. He swings his bow over his shoulder as he removes his dagger and stabs it higher into the wood, allowing him to climb onto the carriage. He yanks the arrow from the side, stabbing it once more into the wood. With one firm pull, he removes his dagger and swings himself up on top of the carriage.

He lays flat on the top as he pulls himself towards the edge, overlooking the rider.

The elves in the trees each fire their arrows at the rider. Two of the arrows narrowly missing his horse as they pierce the ground. The rest of them hitting various parts of the carriage.

Thorin stumbles around on the inside as he wasn't prepared for the sudden take off of the horses. He is tossed left, then right, as the horse speeds through the woods. Each and every rock causing the carriage to jolt and bounce around.

Legolas leans over the edge of the carriage with the dagger out. He takes in a slow breath as he raises it. His intent not to kill, but rather temporarily disable the cloaked traveler so he could get what his father wanted. Legolas leaps from the carriage with great focus. He lands on the back of the cloaked traveler with his dagger up in the air ready to strike. As he lands on the mans back, the man struggles to get Legolas off of him. During the struggle, the two of them are thrown from the horse. Legolas hits the ground first as the traveler lands on top of Legolas, rolling off of him and landing a few feet away.

The horse and carriage continue on down the path. The wheels of the carriage bouncing over each and every rock as Thorin is thrown around violently. Thorin reaches for one of the walls, trying to keep stable, only to be bounced into the air and land on the other side of the carriage. He winces as he's knocked forward into the door and then backwards onto the floor. His body is tossed into the air once again, landing roughly as he forces himself to roll onto his stomach, still trying to find something to hang onto. As the horse takes a hard right, Thorin is forced into the left wall, his head taking the full blunt of the force. Everything instantly goes black as he's knocked out.

Legolas holds his dagger out as he stares past the traveler to the carriage that was getting away. The traveler stands facing Legolas, his own blade out in his hand. He looks behind him to see his carriage disappearing.

"Crap!" the man curses as he decides to leave the elf and make a run after the horse.

As the traveler decides to make a run for it, Legolas goes into a sprint. As he passes the traveler, he shoves him violently out of the way, the traveler stumbling to the side as he lands with a slight roll. As legolas gets a head start, the man pulls himself back to his feet, running as fast as he could behind the elf.

All the while from the other direction, Siegfried and Rigby were making their way back to town. Both of them having finished with checking in on the other dwarves. Each man on their own horse as they trot side by side.

"Wait" Siegfried calls out as he hears the loud gallop of a horse coming from ahead. He spots the runaway horse with the carriage attached being tossed around, coming close to toppling over on several occasions.

Siegfried then snaps his reins, his horse taking off. Rigby follows behind, not really sure what they were doing as Rigby was a healer, not a horse wrangler. The two men ride after the horse, down the path. Siegfried in front and Rigby a little behind as he wasn't the most confident when he came to riding faster than a trot or a canter. Rarely did he gallop as there wasn't much need to.

Siegfried pulls his horse up beside the other, running along side of it. He reaches over to the runaway horse, still holding onto his own reins. He takes in a deep breath as he leans his body over, sliding off of his own horse and onto the one that was running away. He hooks his foot onto the stirrup, as he pulls himself onto the other horse, gently pulling on it's reins, along with the reins of his own horse as he brings it to a slow stop.

"HELP ME!" the cloaked traveler calls out as he sees the men ahead with his carriage. "THAT ELF IS TRYING TO STEAL MY HORSE!"

Rigby brings his horse to a slow stop as he hears the man yelling at them. He sees Legolas in the lead as the man yelling for help was following behind him. Legolas rolls his eyes as the man calls out. Suddenly, Rigby pulls his horse in front of Legolas, forcing the elf to stop in his tracks.

"Out of the way!" Legolas scowls.

"There are more of them further back along the trail, they tried to rob me!" The cloaked traveler calls out as he approaches.

"Get to your horse" Rigby states firmly.

"Thank you!" he exclaims with relief in his voice as he runs past Legolas and Rigby. But as Legolas tries to pass, Rigby's horse steps in the way.

"I said move!" Legolas exclaims again with a frustrated scowl as the man is allowed passed. "You don't know what you're doing!"

Siegfried was in the middle of dismounting the strangers horse as the man approaches.

"You alright?" he asks as the man takes the reins from Siegfried.

"Yeah, I am. Thank you!" he says quickly as he mounts his horse. But before Siegfried could say or ask anything else, the man flicks the reins and takes off down the path.

Siegfried remounts his horse as he joins Rigby, who was still blocking the way of the ever more frustrated elf prince.

"What business do the elves have with that traveler?" Siegfried questions as he stops in front of Legolas. He looks down at the elf, trying his best to look intimidating as he questioned him, even if Siegfried and Rigby weren't exactly the most intimidating people in the town.

Legolas pinches the bridge of his nose as these two men had completely ruined everything. He lets out a huffed breath as he shoots them a glare, muttering some things in elvish that the men could not understand. Tauriel comes running after Legolas from the path with two other elves, each of them drawing an arrow as they see him stopped by two men on horses.

"Legolas, are you hurt?" She asks him in elvish.

Legolas shakes his head as he replies to her. He tells her that he was fine and that these two men got between him and the dwarf. The two of them going back and forth with their conversation while Siegfried and Rigby sit atop their horses with the other elves still holding their arrows pointed at them.

"We don't have time for this" Rigby says to Siegfried in a quiet voice. "That dwarf in the Hunter estate is not doing well...we need to figure out a way to get him out."

Legolas stops talking to Tauriel as he overhears the mention of a dwarf. The other elves each pulling back on the strings as they had now got their attention.

"You know of the dwarves?" Legolas suddenly questions as he eyes Rigby and Siegfried. "Speak. Tell me what you know."

"You refused to answer us as to why you attacked that traveler, so why should we answer you?" Siegfried replies firmly.

"Because we've got you completely surrounded"

As Legolas speaks, more elves emerge from the woods. The rest of them having finally caught up to Legolas. Three more come out with their arrows drawn and aimed.

Both Siegfried and Rigby raise their hands as they sit atop their horses. Then men look at each other with hesitation as to what to do. Rigby then lets out a breath as he looks back to Legolas.

"We're just trying to help free a bunch of dwarves who were taken and sold against their will, that is all" he states, just being brutally honest.

Siegfried arches a brow at Rigby as he speaks. He didn't really want to say anything to the elves but it was too late at this point. May as well just keep going with it.

"We've managed to get eight of them to safety. Four of them have yet to be freed and the last, along with a halfling are still being held captive in the town"

"Actually, the last dwarf went off somewhere in that direction" Legolas replies as he points behind the two men. "As you allowed that man to escape!"

Both Rigby and Siegfried go silent, looking to where Legolas was pointing. Both of them wide eyed as they turn back to Legolas with disbelief that they had just helped a strange man they had never seen before get away with not just a dwarf, but the dwarf king himself.

"You were after the dwarf? Why?" Siegfried questions with suspicion.

"I am tasked with returning the prisoners that had escaped from my fathers dungeons and because of you two, my hunt for Thorin Oakenshield must go on longer"

Though Siegfried was not aware of the dwarves being imprisoned by the elves, Rigby had been informed by Bofur about it. The dwarf was an open book, happy to answer each and everyone of his questions. When it came to the question as to if they were rightfully or wrongfully imprisoned, he believed Bofur as the dwarf had been nothing but honest with him. Though, he chose not to mention whether the imprisonment was right or wrong.

Tauriel starts speaking in elvish one more to Legolas. Pointing out to him that they are wasting time standing here and talking to these men. The longer they wait here, the further away Thorin Oakenshield got. Legolas agrees with her, raising a hand as he signals for the others to lower their bows. And they do. Legolas and the elves then take off running past Siegfried and Rigby as they decide that they had wasted too much time here. As they move further up the path, Legolas looks to Tauriel.

"I want you to keep a close watch of those two." he states as she runs along side her.

Tauriel nods as she calls out to one of the other elves. The two of them veering off the path. They come to a stop, watching as Legolas and the others continue their hunt for Thorin before finally turning back to follow Siegfried and Rigby as they continue on their way back to town.

Chapter Text

Bilbo was given the full run down of rules on his ride back to the Hunter estate. The man having decided to keep the hobbit close to him, by having him ride up front with him on his horse. The hobbit seated in the saddle while Hunter's arms stretched along each side of him as he held the horses reins. Bilbo mumbles as he had been gagged once more, with even more rope bound around his body to ensure he didn't try another stunt like the one he had pulled at the auction.

While there was no real explanation as to how the hobbit had managed to completely disappear in front of the crowd the way he did, Albold had narrowed it down to some sort of trickery with lights or some obvious lie. But when it came to illusionists, it was usually just all smoke an mirrors. No one had actually suspected that Bilbo had a magic ring.

"There will be no disappearin' acts, do you understand?" Hunter questions as his horse comes to a stop. Hunter dismounts the horse, reaching for Bilbo. He lifts the hobbit off the horse, holding him over his shoulder as he makes his way into his home.

"Jessie!" Hunter calls out as he enters into the house.

As Hunter calls out, Cora comes out of the kitchen with a plate and cloth in her hands. She wipes down the plate as she greets her husband.

"And where were you all afternoon?" she questions as she eyes the smaller creature slumped over his shoulder. "Did you really bring home another dwarf? We're already having enough issues with the other one!"

Bilbo mumbles as he hears the woman referring to him as a dwarf. Not that he was insulted or anything, but he took great pride in being a hobbit. As Cora speaks, Bilbo's ears twitch a little. The woman's voice sounding quite familiar to the halfling.

"Actually, this ones special and it's not a dwarf" Hunter replies as he gently places Bilbo down in front of him, turning him to face his wife as he holds Bilbo by the shoulders. Bilbo's eyes widen as a face is finally put to the voice. His feelings conflicted with an overwhelming sense of joy, knowing that Fili was here and a sense of dread that had been looming over him since losing the ring.

"What is it?" She questions as she crosses her arms. "It's smaller than a dwarf, that's for sure"

"This is a halfling, only known one in these parts" Hunter replies with a proud smirk on his face. "And I think it'll help keep Bingo in line."

Bilbo's brows furrow with a new feeling of confusion as he mentions an unfamiliar name. He was positive that they had Fili.

"I think Jessie took Bingo out back for a picnic."

Hunter gives a nod as he crouches down to Bilbos height. He spins the hobbit to face him as he undoes the gag and straightens out the hobbits hair.

"You know the rules, or would you like me to explain them one last time?" Hunter asks to Bilbo.

"Oh no, I heard you quite clearly" Bilbo practically snaps back in a snarky tone.

Hunter smirks as Bilbo talks back to him. "I'd watch your tone" he states as he removes a small hunting knife from his belt. He takes Bilbo's hands and slices the ropes off. "And there will be no more of those disappearing tricks"

"And what's to stop me?" Bilbo questions, trying to learn what he can about hunter based on his responses and reactions.

As the ropes fall off of Bilbo's hands, Hunter takes a firm grip of Bilbo by the shirt collar. He holds his knife up to Bilbo's face, the point of the blade held just a few inches from Bilbo's right eye. "Care to find out?"

Bilbo stares at the tip of the knife, giving a slight nod of the head. "Not really" he replies with a small breath out, noting that this individual was quick to violence.

"Do you really want to damage the halfling before your daughter even gets it?" Cora questions as she watches her husband threaten Bilbo.

Hunter slowly lowers the blade, pressing it under Bilbo's chin before finally slicing it down through the ropes that bound his torso. As the last set of ropes fall, Hunter stands himself back up, putting the knife back in it's holder on his belt. He then turns Bilbo around once more, placing a hand on Bilbo's back as he starts to lead him through the home towards the back door.

Hunter opens the back door to his house, leading them to a large porch with two steps that lead to the large open field. On the left was the stables with a dirt road that ran along the side of the house to the front. In the center was a large fruit tree and under that tree was Jessie. Sitting atop a large square blanket with Fili sitting with his back to the house. On the blanket, a small jug filled with water, some tea cups, a wicker basket and two plates. The girl giggles as she sits across from Fili, handing him a sandwich. As Fili takes the sandwich, Jessie looks past Fili to see her dad.

"Come join our picnic!" Jessie calls out with a wave.

Bilbo lets out a sigh of relief when he sees the back of the blonde dwarf, instantly recognizing it as Fili. Even if his hair had been pulled into a French braid with pink ribbons weaved through it.

Hunter nudges Bilbo as they approach Jessie and her picnic. Fili looks behind him, getting a quick glimpse of Hunter before just turning back around to face Jessie. Though, he stares past her as he just sits as calmly and as still as he could, obviously terrified of the man. Bilbo noting the odd behavior from the usually brave dwarf prince.

"I'd love to join but I've got a few things I need to do" Hunter says as he pushes Bilbo forward. "but, I bet Bingo's new brother would love to join your picnic!"

Jessie's smile grows even wider as she sees the halfling. "You got Bingo a brother?!" She leans forward, placing her palms against Fili's cheeks as she happily squeezes them. "Did you hear that?!"

Fili hadn't even noticed Bilbo when he looked behind the first time as the moment he saw the man, his panic kicked in. As Jessie lets go of his face, Fili turns back around, terrified for his brother. "Ki-" Fili stops when he realizes that it wasn't even Kili. He silently stares at Bilbo. As much as Fili was relieved that Kili was not in fact here, seeing Bilbo caught in this mess didn't bring comfort either.

Jessie leaps up from the blanket, practically leaping onto Bilbo as she had with Fili the first time they met. She wraps her arms around the halfling, squeezing him tightly. "He's so little! Is he still a baby?!"

"I am not a baby" Bilbo replies as he pulls himself out of the hug. "I am a fully grown adult Hobbit"

Jessie beams even more when he speaks. The halfling just getting even more adorable to her by the second. "I think we should call him Kili, that way Bingo will be happy!"

Bilbo chokes when she suggests changing his name. "My name is-"

Fili starts shaking his head as Bilbo goes to speak. His terrified eyes just telling the halfling to just go with it as he doesn't want to see Bilbo get hurt.

"That sounds like a great idea!" Hunter replies as he places a hand on Bilbo's head, messing up his hair as he had with Fili. "What do you think, Kili? Do you like it?!"

Bilbo swats Hunters hand off of his head as he lets out a low grumble. He then forces out the fakest smile he could. "....I love it..." he says through his teeth, deciding to listen to Fili. "You two behave now" Hunter states before passing Bilbo to Jessie, taking his leave.

Jessie takes Bilbo by the hand, pulling him over to the blanket. "Come on! I don't think Bingo will mind sharing his food with you!" She joyfully exclaims as she gives Bilbo a gentle push on the shoulders to sit down beside Fili. Bilbo gives an awkward laugh as he takes a seat beside the dwarf who was currently sitting cross-legged. He takes notice of the lack of shoes on Fili's feet and the large bandages that were currently wrapped around them. Bilbo also notes that the beads were all removed from his hair as Jessie had been having fun restyling it and playing with it. Around his neck was the leather collar with the name 'Bingo' engraved in it. His eyes looked heavy, and defeated as he just holds out his sandwich to Bilbo.

"Hungry?" Fili asks quietly, just trying to appease Jessie.

"Uh..." Bilbo looks down at the sandwich then up at Fili. "No, you have it"

Jessie sits down on the blanket, leaning forward and snatching the sandwich from Filis hand and shoving it in Bilbo's hand. "Don't be shy! Eat up Kili!"

Bilbo watches as she pulls the food from Fili's hand. The dwarf visibly flinching as though he was expecting something else to happen. Bilbos stomach starts to feel tight as he really gets a sense of the situation they were both in. He then looks at the sandwich. "I'm not hungry, so its quite alright" Bilbo replies as he holds it back to Fili. Even if he was starved, Fili looked like he needed it more.

Jessie leans over once more, taking the sandwich from Bilbo's hand and shoving it into the hobbits mouth. "Its rude to say no!" She says firmly.

Bilbo's eyes widened as he was not expecting the girl to shove food in his mouth. Especially so forcefully. With no choice, Bilbo takes a hold of the other half of the sandwich as he takes a bite, chewing the bit in his mouth swallowing. "Mmmmmmm...." Bilbo mumbles awkwardly. Though, there was no denying that it was nice to have some real food.

--------------------

That evening, Jessie had brought both Fili and Bilbo back inside where she had decided to give Bilbo the grand tour. With Fili on her back, as walking was still not an option for the dwarf prince, Jessie starts showing Bilbo the house. Explaining which rooms they were and were not allowed in unless they were supervised.

"And this is my room!" She exclaims happily as she ends the tour. She enters into the room, setting Fili on her bed.

As Bilbo enters into the room, Jessie hears her name being called from the lower level. "Wait here!" She says as she goes into a run out of the room.

As Jessie disappears, Bilbo dashes over to Fili with concern in his voice. "What did they do to you?!" It was the first moment all day that he had actually got to be alone with the dwarf, so Bilbo was going to take full advantage of the little time they had.

Fili eyes the empty doorway before looking to Bilbo. The dwarf wanting to say something but immediately shaking his head with fear. Fear that hunter would over hear the wrong thing and punish him for it.

"Fili, what did they do?" Bilbo questions again as he takes the dwarfs hand in his.

"N-nothing" Fili chokes out. "And its not Fili....its Bingo"

Bilbo frowns when he realizes how scared the dwarf really was. With a small sigh, he pulls himself up onto the bed beside Fili. He places an arm around the dwarf as he tries to hold him close and comfort him. "I don't know what they did but I am going to get you out of this, ok?" Bilbo says in a quiet yet confident voice. "Till that happens, I won't let them hurt you anymore."

Fili rests his head on Bilbo's shoulder as he just closes his eyes. It wasn't Jessie or necessarily Cora that Fili was terrified of, but rather Hunter as he was a relentless human without a soul. His last threat to the dwarf being about his beard. The one defining feature of Fili that he was most proud of, as all dwarves were. The man making it very clear that he would gladly shave off Fili's beard if the dwarf even looked at Jessie the wrong way. "I want to be with my brother....." Fili states as his eyes just water.

Bilbo gently squeezes Fili as he lets out a small breath. Bilbo gently rests his chin atop of Fili's head as he stares ahead at the door in thought. The hobbit realizing that leaving this place was going to be a bit tricker than he realized.

Jessie comes back to her room. She grins wildly as she claps her hands together. "Look at you two! Bonding already!" She exclaims, holding a leather collar in her hands. "Daddy look!" Hunter approaches from behind her with a larger crate in hand.

"That's nice sweetheart" He says as he pushes himself past Jessie. "Good to see Bingo and Kili getting along so well!"

Hunter places the larger crate down beside the Vanity that sat across the room. It's position just a few feet away from the smaller crate that still sat at the end of the bed. Hunter knowing it was best to not have them directly side by side. "Just needs some blankets and Bingo's new bed will be perfect!"

"Wait, that's where we sleep?" Bilbo questions as his brows furrow. This family becoming more and more twisted the more he learned about them.

"You get the little one!" Jessie says as she approaches Bilbo and Fili, pointing to Fili's previous sleeping arrangements. "Bingo gets the new big one. Should be more comfortable for him!" Jessie then leans in, pulling Fili and Bilbo into a group hug. The young girl scratching Fili behind the ear as he starts to tense. "No need to be scared, you're just going to be on the other side of the room silly!"

"Why don't you go get the extra blankets from the spare room" Hunter then requests as he finishes setting up the larger crate.

"Yes da!" she replies as she lets go of Bilbo and Fili, dashing out of the room.

As she runs out, Hunter approaches Bilbo and Fili, his arms crossed as he stares down at the two. Bilbo holds his arms protectively over Fili as the dwarf tries to bury his head in Bilbo.

"You seem to be adjusting better than I expected" Hunter states as he focuses on the hobbit.

"I don't know what you did to Fili, but I will make sure you pay for it" Bilbo replies firmly as he feels Fili trembling in his arms.

"I doubt that" Hunter replies as he takes a hold of the back of Fili's shirt collar. He yanks Fili from Bilbo's arms, the dwarf yelping with surprise as he's pulled away. He pulls Fili from the bed, tossing the dwarf onto the floor. Fili lands on his hands and knees with a loud thud. "All I did was a little obedience training"

"Leave him alone!" Bilbo exclaims as he jolts up from the bed, his hands curled into tight fists as he was ready to defend his friend.

With his eyes on Bilbo, Hunter lifts his left foot, holding it over Fili's back and slamming it down. Fili's body flattens against the floor as he lets out a pained groan, his back arches as Hunters heavy boot was planted right in the middle of his back, pinning him down.

"Fili!"

Hunter holds up a finger to Bilbo. "I don't know who Fili is" he says as he applies a little pressure to Fili's back, twisting his foot a little as he does.

Fili takes in a pained breath, his eyes closing tightly as he presses his forehead into the floor.

Bilbo grits his teeth together as he watches his friend. The harsh realization finally hitting him that this man was unstable and incredibly dangerous.

"Ok, ok! Fine! Leave Bingo alone!" Bilbo finally lets out, opening his hands up and losing the fists. "Please, stop"

As Bilbo refers to Fili as Bingo, Hunter steps off of Fili's back. He smiles as he comes to realize how much easier it was going to be controlling the halfling with Fili around.

"That wasn't so hard"

Bilbo rushes to Fili's side, taking one of his arms to help him up off the floor, bringing the dwarf back up to his knees. "You ok?" Bilbo asks, realizing that the question was redundant. It was very obvious that Fili was not.

Jessie returns to the room with some blankets in her hand. She hums to herself as she brings them over to the new crate, carefully laying them out on the floor. After they were set, she takes a step back. "Perfect!" Jessie then turns to Fili, gesturing for him come to her. "Come on Bingo, this one should be much better!"

Fili lets out a groan as he pulls away from Bilbo, crawling over on his hands and knees as he wasn't given a choice this time around. He pulls himself into the crate, sitting himself down in the middle as he turns around. His expression almost dead and emotionless as he stares at Bilbo. Jessie closes the gate and claps her hands once more. "Perfect! Now you won't hit your head anymore!"

Jessie then turns to Bilbo. "Time for bed!" She says as she approaches the original crate at the end of her bed, gesturing for Bilbo to get in. Bilbo shoots her a small glare as he reluctantly approaches the crate. "Oh! I almost forgot!" Jessie suddenly exclaims, stopping Bilbo before he got in the crate. Jessie had almost forgot that she had been holding the new collar her dad had made for Bilbo. She holds up the leather strap with the word 'Kili' engraved on it, Bilbo's eyes looking to Fili for a moment, as he looks at the matching collar on his friend. He takes in a small breath, and slowly lets it out as she fits it around Bilbo's neck.

Once it was on, Bilbo takes two small steps into the crate. He stands there, his eyes locked on Jessie as she innocently closes the gate.

"Goodnight Bingo! Goodnight Kili!"

Chapter Text

Bifur had taken it upon himself to play with Logan. Logan not understanding a word that came out of the dwarfs mouth, but still finding him wildly entertaining and funny. Bifur sits on the floor, proudly, as he had Logan repeating dwarven battle cries after him. The injured dwarf determined to teach the boy some phrases, even though there were language barriers.

---------------

Bombur had been busy in the kitchen while the others were meeting. The dwarf working hard to make a special meal for Ori, not wanting to give him anything that would upset his stomach or be to difficult to swallow. With a large bowl in land, he approaches the door to the room Ori was in and gently knocks.

"Come in" Dori says from the other side.

Bombur opens the door with a smile on his face. "How is the patient doing?" he asks as he approaches with the bowl in hand.

"Tired. Bored." Ori replies with a slight pout as he sits himself up, trying not to wince as his back ached where the wound was. "But Dori won't let me leave"

Dori rolls his eyes as he takes the bowl from Bombur. "Smells good" he comments as he passes the bowl to Ori.

Ori takes the bowl, taking the spoon that was resting on the inside and gently stirring the broth inside. "Anything Bombur makes is bound to be good! Plus I'm pretty sure it's hard to mess up a stew..."

"You'd be surprised" Bombur replies with a smile. "I've met a few dwarves who've managed to mess up a good stew!"

-----------------

"You did what?!" Melody questions with a raised voice to her husband and Rigby.

"We didn't know!" Siegfried replies, feeling horrible for messing up.

"You mean to tell us that not only did you allow some stranger get away with our King, but you let the elves go after him?!" Dwalin continues, pushing himself between Melody and her husband. He then gets up on his toes, trying to get in the taller mans face as Dwalin was clearly angry. "Why didn't ya go after them!?"

"We weren't exactly in any position to be fighting with Elves." Siegfried chokes out, as he takes a small step back, clearly intimidated by the taller dwarf.

"We know they're the elves of Mirkwood" Rigby interrupts. "So, if they manage to catch up with Thorin, we know where they will be taking him"

"He does have a point" Bofur adds, having a bit more understanding as to why the two men would not want to engage in a fight. "And we know the elves aren't going to hurt or kill Thorin"

"Do we now?!" Dwalin scoffs as he turns attention to Bofur. "Is that hat too tight or have ye forgotten how they treated us back in that dungeon?"

"Aye, I remember. I also remember that they fed us and at caused no real harm or danger to our lives" Bofur replies, defending his point. "We know that Thorin will be somewhat safe if the elves catch him"

"I hate to say it but I think Bofur is right" Gloin says, finally chiming into the conversation. "Elves might not be our allies, but we know what they'll do with Thorin if they catch him. Humans though? Usually a little more unpredictable....no offense"

"None taken" Rigby, Siegfried and Melody all say in unison, each of them knowing that it was a true statement.

"And if what Rigby says about Fili is true, then we don't know how much time our prince has. Or our other friends for that matter"

"Alright then, why are we standing around 'ere talkin! Lets go save our friends!" Dwalin exclaims loudly, ready to go to battle.

"Wait!" Melody replies. "We can't just bust through their doors......"

"No, but I got us an invite to one of Aislinn's fancy parties" Siegfried states, sliding an arm across his wife's waist and pulling his close to him. He looks at Dwalin with a smirk, getting an idea. Aislinn had told him to bring his dwarf with them, but there was no way he would bring Dori to such a thing. Dori was such a gentle and caring dwarf who did not deserve any of what was happening. None of them did. Not to mention, there was no way he would pull him away from his baby brother. Not not. "Might have lied about having control issues with our dwarf servant."

Dwalin arches a brow as he smirks back at them. The dwarf already reading the mans thought. "Control issues you say?" he repeats back, getting all sorts of ideas in his head. "What time's the party?"

Chapter Text

Kili had been up most of the afternoon. His chest still hurting a bit when he breathed but it wasn't like it was before he managed to get some rest. Upon waking up, he had been told to assist Balin in the gardens, the dwarf prince just focusing on pulling out the weeds while Balin was harvesting some of the fully grown vegetables into a basket.

"You feelin' any better?" Balin asks quietly as he works beside Kili.

Kili lets out a small huff as he yanks a weed from the dirt. At least he was hoping it was a weed. Dwarves weren't really known for their gardening skills, living in the mountains and all.

"I'll live" Kili replies. "But we need to get out of here"

"Agreed, but we also need to be smart about how we do that" Balin replies calmly. "Right now, we're unarmed. No means of protection. Even if we get away from here, we don't know whom we can trust or where our friends are"

"I get it" Kili says as he rips out another questionable weed. "Speaking of which, where is Nori?"

Balin shakes his head a little with a sigh. "Being worked to death..." he lets out, knowing that everything she had Nori doing was completely unfair and should be done by either someone taller or at least the three of them together.

"The misses really doesn't like Nori?" Kili questions with an arched brow.

"He didn't leave her with a good first impression" Balin replies, knowing that Kili wasn't there when Nori tried to fight her and her orc because she demanded he take his hair down. "And honestly Laddy, I don't blame him. No one should mess with a dwarfs hair"

Kili lets out a small sigh as he feels his own head, his hair having been tied back neatly. Of the three, Balin was the only one whose hair and beard had not been messed with, probably because he was older and I guess it made him more adorable to Aislinn.

"By the way, that is a daisy, not a weed" Balin states as he looks at what Kili had just ripped from the dirt.

"Of course it is..." Kili replies as he tosses the flower to the side.

As the two of them work, Aislinn approaches them. Her arms crossed behind her back as she smiles down at them both.

"Kili, I'd like you to come with me a moment" she says, not giving him an option.

Kili lets out a breath as he stands himself up, dusting the dirt off of his black pants. "And what do I owe the pleasure" Kili chokes out, trying to choose his words cautiously around the woman.

"I've got a special task for you"

-----------------

Aislinn leads Kili back into the house and to the second floor. She stops in front of the master bathroom door, looking down at Kili who stood silently beside her. "Since you failed last time, I need you to retake your test" she says as she opens the door. Kili swallows nervously, not sure what she had planned. Part of him scared that it had something to do with water as he knew what room was behind the door.

On the other side of the door was Nori, bound to a wooden chair with his hand behind his back. The dwarf clearly agitated. Behind him, Steve the orc. Beside him, a small table with a razorblade on it.

"I told you! I didn't do anything wrong!" he exclaims as he shifts in his seat. "He approached me, what was I suppose to do?!"

"You had no business speaking with that peasant" Aislinn states, clearly just making up an excuse to make Nori's life miserable.

Kili stops in the doorway with a look of confusion on his face. "What exactly is this test?" he questions with slight hesitation, not really wanting to know.

Garett steps behind Kili, placing a hand on the dwarfs shoulder. Kili jumps a little, not expecting the man to have come out from behind. He looks to the man, swallowing nervously when he sees a small bowl with a white cream inside that he had just finished mixing with a small horsehair brush.

"Oh no...." Kili groans as he knows exactly what they want from him. He looks back to Nori, who also took notice of the white cream, causing him to pull harder at the ropes. "Please don't...."

While it wasn't usual for dwarves to shave their beards, they both recognized what shaving cream was, though the razorblade on the table should have been the first indicator. Rarely did one ever see a dwarf shaving. Trimming and shaping their beards, yes, but never fully shaving. Kili's stomach started to sink as Garett takes him by the wrist, pushing him right up to the table. Garett sets the bowl down at the table and moves Kili's hand to the handle of the brush that rested in the shaving cream.

"Don't worry, it's actually easier than you think" Garett says as he places his hand over top of Kili's closing the dwarfs hand over the brush and picking it up. "You just apply some of this on the face"

As Garett tries to have Kili apply the shaving cream, Nori pulls his head out of the way. He turns as far to the left as he can, leaning back in the chair. As the brush gets closer, Nori leans further back, until the chair fully falls backwards onto the floor. The dwarf hissing in pain as he had crushed his hands in the fall.

"Pick him up..." Aislinn states flatly as she pinches the bridge of her nose. Steve lifts the chair (and Nori) off of the floor. He then places his hands on Nori's head, holding him still.

Garett presses Kili's hand against the right side of Nori's face. He starts brushing the cream on. Nori's heart races as he stares at Kili. He loved his beard. Even if that retched woman made him remove his braids from it. At least where it was now, he could restyle it when they got out of here. But this? This was the absolute worst thing that could happen to him. "...please don't....!"

After a good amount of the cream was on, Garett moves Kili's hand over the bowl, forcing him to drop the brush.

As he pulls Kili's hand over the razorblade, Kili starts resisting, his hand pulling away from the blade.

"This is where things can get a little messy" Garett states as he finally forces Kili's hand down on top of the blade. He wraps his fingers over Kili's hand, forcing the dwarf to pick up the razorblade. He holds the blade up infront of Kili's face as he twists and turns it, as though having the dwarf inspect the sharp blade that ran along the side. Kili's hand starts to shake underneath as the blade is then eased closer to Nori's cheek. "See if you keep shaking and moving like that, you're going to cut your friend"

Kili pushes himself into Garett as he tries to pull the blade away.

"You're going to fail the test again" Aislinn says as she watches her favorite dwarf try to resist his order.

"I can respect your loyalty towards your companion" Garett states, his voice raising a little as he speaks. "But here, you live under our rules. You are here strictly to serve and if we tell you to do something, you are expected to do it!"

Kili's heart starts to beat fast as he continues to resist against Garett, the blade still forced tightly in his hand. Kili shakes his head. "No, I won't do it!" Kili lets out as he feels a panic forming inside.

"You are aware that there will be repercussions if you do not listen" Garett says firmly as he gives Kili a shove forward. "So tell me, what is more important to you? Loyalty to your friends or obeying your masters?"

Kili's eyes start watering as he stares at Nori, whose head was still being held. Both dwarves panicking in their own way. Kili grinds his teeth together as he continues to push back against Garett. He knew he was going to regret this decision later but there was no way he could do something like this to Nori. Maybe if his beard hadn't fully grown in yet, like his own, as that wouldn't matter as much, but it would take years before Nori would even be able to braid his beard the way he preferred.

"I can't...I won't..." Kili hisses through his teeth as the blade is pressed against Nori's cheek.

Nori lets out a small hiss as Kili pulls his wrist away, accidently making a clean cut across Nori's cheek. Beads of blood quickly forming as the blade is back in the air.

Garett finally lets go of Kili, letting out a frustrated sigh. "and I thought this was going to be an easy one for you to pass...."

Aislinn lets out a small sigh as well. She really liked this dwarf. He was young, easy on the eyes, looked cute in a bowtie. He even made her husband jealous, which was even more amusing to the woman as he was the one who had picked Kili out special for her! Aislinn steps up to Kili, taking him by the arm and pulling him out of the washroom.

"Have Joe get the water ready, I'll be down once I'm finished here...."

Kili stumbles behind her as she walks with a quick pace. The dwarf knowing exactly where they were going. As they begin heading down the stairs, he looks back with fear in his eyes, seeing Garett leaning over Nori.

Chapter Text

Just like the last time, Kili had been punished for his disobedience. As requested by Aislinn, he was not to have any physical scars to him as she was sure that dwarves that looked as good as him were few and far between. And just like last time, he had to suffer for what felt like hours as he was held beneath water. At least once they were finished with him, they had given the dwarf prince a towel and a dry pair of clothes when he was returned to his room.

Kili didn't get much sleep though as he lay in his bed. His chest hurting with each and every breath he took and a developing cough that didn't help. The dwarf positive that whatever muscle he tore the last time had been more agitated. Part of him even starting to believe that he might have cracked a rib. The water that still remained in his lungs didn't exactly help either as that on it's own is dangerous if not treated. Aislinn might not have wanted any visible scars on him, but Kili's body was really starting to take a toll.

-------------

The day was fairly quiet. Joe was in the kitchen, preparing various plates of cheese and crackers, vegetable trays, and meat platters, while Steve was working on the main course and desserts. Balin was tasked with tidying the various rooms on the main floor where guests would be mingling. Dusting, sweeping, placing vases around with some fresh flowers. All the small details to help make the house look perfect.

Nori and Kili both getting the morning off, allowed to rest in their rooms as Aislinn wanted them both at their best for the evening.

------------

As the afternoon hit, there was a knock at Nori's door. The dwarf laid there in his bed, his face just planted in his pillow as he didn't move. With no answer, the door opens.

"Nori?"

"I'm not moving" Nori mumbles with his face in the pillow.

Balin lets out a concerned sigh as he enters the room and takes a seat on the edge of Nori's bed. He places a hand on the dwarfs back as he gives him a gently rub. "It'll grow back...."

Nori presses the pillow harder over his head as he refuses to move.

Balin closes his eyes as he takes in a slow breath from his nose. Even though Balin was calm on the outside, he was furious with the married couple. The way the treated others, acting like they were better. Balin had never seen Nori so upset before in his life, and he was positive that they were going to end up killing Kili if they kept doing what they doing.

"No one else is going to see..." Balin says trying to bring some comfort to his friend. "It's just you, kili and myself"

While what they had done to Nori was nothing in comparison to what they did to Kili, Nori was absolutely devastated. As Aislinn wanted, they had completely removed his facial hair, and not without cuts from Nori trying to stop them. He already hated that they changed his hair but now he just felt he was no longer the dwarf he used to be. He wanted to just crawl into a hole and hide from the world.

---------------

Not being given a choice, Nori, Balin and Kili are gathered upstairs. Each of them lined up and standing straight as Aislinn inspects each one.

She brushes her fingers through Balin's hair as she adjusts some of the loose ends. She then looks to Nori, smiling at the freshly shaven dwarf. The only bit of hair that remained being no more than what Kili had on his own face.

"You look so much better, much younger too!" Aislinn says, gently pats his cheek and ending with a small boop of his nose.

Nori's hands ball into fists as she speaks, his teeth clenched together as he resists the urge to fight the woman. The woman having made him completely unrecognizable.

Finally there was Kili, the dwarf a little more pale than usual. His eyes heavy as she moved around to the back of him so she could redo his hair. Kili takes slow shallow breaths in and out as anything deeper was uncomfortable.

"Master Aislinn" Balin says, stepping back a moment to have a word with the woman as she fixes Kili's hair. The older dwarf taking notice of thr pale complexion, his dark heavy eyes and the way he was breathing.

"You may speak" she replies, focused on the hair.

"I understand that tonight is special for you, but, I feel it might be best if you left it for Nori and I as I feel Kili is still in need of rest..."

Balins words were soft spoken and precise as he didn't want to come off as trying to tell Aislinn what to do, but rather come off as a subtle advisor.

"He'll be fine for a few hours" she replies as she finishes braiding the dwarfs hair and pinning it up. She moves back in front of Kili, bending a little as she takes his chin in her hand, turning his head to the side. "You can have tomorrow off. For now a little bit of makeup and you'll be good as new"

-----------------

By evening the house was filled with dozens of unfamiliar guests. Some of men sat around the fireplace with whiskey glasses in hand as they laughed and exchanged stories of their hunts. While their wives were in the dining room with wine glasses in hand as they gossiped with each other, and their unsupervised children ran through the house, chasing each other while they played tag. No matter which way you looked, there were people mingling.

Nori holds a silver tray in his hand with an assortment of cheese on it. He holds back his tongue as he approaches a couple relaxing on the couch, offering them some.

Balin was in charge of keeping everyone's drinks filled and greeting guests as they entered the home.

Kili, just like Nori, had a silver platter as well. His with an assortment of berries and sweets such as chocolates and tarts.

Balin pours some red wine into a woman's glass as he eyes Nori from across the room. As soon as the glass is half full, he continues his rounds so that he could get close to his friend.

"Did you just take her bracelet?" Balin whispers in a stern voice to Nori, noticing the dwarf use a little sleight of hand while one of the guests was busy with the cheese.

"Call it a tip" he replies with a smirk as he has already found a nice hiding spot to stash the 'tips' he had already collected. The dwarf knowing better than to keep any stolen items on his person, especially in this place. The way he saw it, these people took his beard so he deserved compensation.

Balin lets out a small sigh. There wasn't much he could do to stop the dwarf. Not without getting him into more trouble. "Just be careful" Balin says before going to cater to the other guests.

Aislinn was currently in the dining room with Kili by her side. The woman proudly showing him off to her girlfriends.

"I didn't know dwarves could be so handsome!" One woman exclaims as she leans down to get a closer look.

"Think I could borrow him some time?" Another asks.

Kili shifts uncomfortably as the women ogled him. He was told his job was offer people fruit and he had barely moved from the room as Aislinn just kept going on and on about how perfect he was.

"I might consider sharing him" Aislinn says with a laugh "Could probably make some good money renting him out!"

The women all laugh as Kili tries to slink away. He coughs a few times, causing the women to stop laughing and joking around.

"He's not sick, is he?"

"Oh no" Aislinn reassures as she places a hand on the dwarfs back. "He's probably just got a little tickle in his throat". The looks down to Kili, giving him a gentle push. "Why don't you go get yourself some water and then get back to work"

-------------------------

There is a knock at the door, and as was his job, Balin takes a moment from refilling peoples glasses and answers it. As he pulls it open, he is met with a pleasant yet strange surprise.

Dwalin stands on the other side with Melody and Siegfried. His hands tied in front with a lead attached that was being held by Siegfried. The couple dressed somewhat fancy, trying to at least fit in with the crowd. Melody with a pale pink gown with a white and gold corset to tie it together, while her husband had just what every other man would wear to a fancy event, a suit. All the while Dwalin wasn't dressed fancy, just had his usual tunic.

"Brother!" Dwalin exclaims with a wide grin on his face, completely breaking character for a moment as he was relieved to see his older brother was in good health. Dwalin steps forward, pulling Balin into an awkward hug as he throws his tied arms over Balin's head to pull him in close.

Balin stands there with a dumbfounded look on his face. Balin didn't know whether to be happy to see his brother or upset that he was bound the way he was. The dwarf even more confused because this couple wasn't who his brother had left with. In fact he recognized them as the couple who had taken Dori. He was positive that Dwalin had gone with some twisted hunter that just wanted to hunt some dwarves for sport.

Dwalin then pulls away from the hug, bringing his hands back over his brothers head as he smirks at his brothers confused reaction. "Don't worry, cords aren't actually tied properly" he says quietly with a wink.

"Shh"

Siegfried gives Dwalin a light kick of the ankle to stop the dwarf from saying too much over the worry of someone hearing them. Melody couldn't help but give a small chuckle as her husband tried not to act so nervous. After all, this was his plan. Siegfried then straightens his posture and gives a forced cough as he looks down at the still confused Balin.

"I'm Siegfried and this is my beautiful wife, Meoldy" he says, not even sure what he was doing. "The misses of the house had extended an invite-"

"So you're Siegfried?" An older voice calls out. Garett gently pushes Balin to the side, dismissing the dwarf to return to his duties as he stands in the door way. He extends his hand out to the guest at the door. "My wife told me about you and your dwarf problems." Garett looks at the large intimidating dwarf standing beside the couple. Dwalin's face no longer cheerful from the sight of his brother, but now looking as if he was battle ready. He gives a dark grin as he snaps his teeth at the host of the evening.
"It's going to be a fun night" he comments as he can see this dwarf was a warrior and would not break easily at all. "Come in!" Garret suddenly says in an inviting tone as he then turns around, stepping back to allow his guests to enter. "Joe!" he calls out and within seconds, the orc steps out of the kitchen. The couple actually surprised to see an orc so well dressed and behaved, but saddened at the same time as it was obvious how much pain had been inflicted onto the creature.

As Siegfried and Melody enter into the home, Garett takes the ropes end and hands it to Joe. "Just take him to the shed" he says like he was just some coat being checked in at the door.

"Where?" Melody questions as the orc starts to walk away with Dwalin in tow behind him.

"Don't you worry! We'll get to the dwarf later." Garett replies calmly. "For now, just enjoy yourselves. Aislinn is in the dining room with some of the other women if you wish to join her!" he states as he places a hand on Siegfried's back, leading him further into the house where some of the other men were gathered. "Come, sit, have a drink!" Suddenly, Garett snaps his fingers to call Balin back. "What's your poison?"

Siegfried wasn't sure what to say. His drinks were usually simple, like the cheapest ale the pub had on tap. "Uhh..." he says as he was not as prepared for this as he had realized.

Balin lets out a small sigh as he is snapped at.

"Get my new friend here a whiskey!"

"Right away"

---------------------------

Not even twenty minuets later there is another knock at the door. Balin once more opens it, this time even more stunned to see three familiar faces before him. Fili, Bilbo and the woman who had demanded to take Fili the moment they had arrived in town. The dwarf prince hanging onto a young girls back with his head just resting on her shoulder as he was exhausted. Bilbo stood beside her with a leather lead attached to the collar around his neck. The halfling annoyed at first but as he sees the familiar dwarf at the door, he lets out a small sigh of relief.

"Micah!" Jessie calls out suddenly as she takes a large step into the house, shoving Balin to the side as she bolted towards her friend. Bilbo given no choice but to follow as the leash was being held by her. Jessie disappears into the house after her friends while her parents enter in behind her. The couple looking down at Balin as he picks himself up off the floor.

"The mister is over there" Balin says giving a small point to where they could find the hosts. "And you'll find the misses in the dining room"

As he speaks, the couple enter into the house, going their separate ways as they mingled with the others in the home. As Balin closes the door, an exasperated Kili approaches, having witnessed the older dwarf be shoved. "You ok?" Kili questions as he makes his way towards Balin, the dessert tray still in hand.

"I'll be fine" Balin says as he turns to face the dwarf prince. "But...."

Balin bites his lip as it was clear that Kili had not noticed the young girl with his brother on her back when she ran in. He hesitates, not sure what to say.

"His name is Bingo!" Jessie exclaims proudly from the back half of the house, near the back door.

Balin looks to where the voice was coming from, his view currently blocked by the mingling guests. Kili looking in the same direction as he was confused by what Balin wanted to say, but he had assumed it had something to do with the new guests.

"But what" Kili questions just wanting Balin to spit it out. The dwarf physically and mentally exhausted.

"And this is his baby brother Kili! We got him yesterday!"

Kili's brows furrow when he hears his name from the same voice. Everything around the dwarf going seemingly silent as he just his focus was on the voices ahead. He starts pushing past the guests in the house as he made his way towards the small group of children. Balin follows behind, knowing that this was not going to end well. He reaches out and takes Kili by the wrist to stop the dwarf a moment.

"Kili wait" Balin says firmly as Kili stops in his step, looking back to the older dwarf. "I need you to promise me you'll stay calm"

"Why?" Kili replies with concern in his voice, the words making him more worried.

"Just-"

Kili pulls himself away from Balin as he turns back, seeing two young girls fawning over the halfling. Both of them fighting over who got to play with him first. The Hobbit's appearance mostly unaltered as his clothes were a little bit fancier than what Fili had on his body when the adventure began. Bilbo puffs his cheeks as one of the girl takes his arm causing the other to do the same with his other.

Sitting on the floor with his back against the wall was Fili. Not nearly as unrecognizable as Nori, but it was a close second. His hair had been braided and done up all nicely with flowers and ribbon worked into it, a job that Jessie clearly had her mom help her with. His worn and dirty tunic replaced with a dark blue sleeveless dress that flared out at the bottom ans had a pink ribbon belt across the waist. His feet still wrapped tightly in bandages, indicating that he had been hurt for what Kili would only assume was for trying to run away. At the very least he still had his facial hair...

"Bingo?" Micah reads on the collar, the boy older than Jessie by a year. "What kind of a dumb name is that!"

"It's not dumb!" Jessie replies, practically latching onto Fili protectively as she pouts. "Right Bingo?"

Kili's eyes widen with horror as he sees his brother in the state he was in. Being treated like a dog or even a doll by some bratty child. His brother not even looking like he was mentally there as he just stared straight ahead at nothing while the kids bantered about his name. Kili drops the dessert tray, the dwarf forgetting his own exhaustion and pain as adrenalin starts flowing through him. "GET AWAY FROM MY BROTHER!" Kili scowls as he shoves one of the kids out of the way.

"Oh no..." Balin says under his breath. The older dwarf knowing that this was exactly what was going to happen.

Kili approaches Jessie, taking a firm grip of the girls arms as he forcefully rips her off of his brother. Jessie screams as she is thrown to the side, landing on her knees. Kili reaches down to his brother as some of the adults turn their attention to the now furious looking dwarf.

"Leave Bingo alone!" Jessie exclaims as she pulls herself off her knees, taking a step back towards Fili.

"BACK OFF!" Kili yells out, causing the two girls who were tugging at Bilbo to actually let the halfling go and run away, while Jessie tries to stand her ground. With the girls now gone, Bilbo steps in front of Jessie, standing between her and the brothers.

"Kili, move!" She demands as she glares at Bilbo. "My name is not Kili! It's Bilbo, and that" he states as he points to Fili who was now huddled up into his brother while Kili held him protectively. "That is Fili!"

"What is going on in here!?" Garett demands in a loud voice as he makes his way to where the dwarves were causing trouble.

Hunter pushes his way past Garett as he picks up Jessie, pulling her away from Bilbo. "Jessie, are you ok?"

"That dumb dwarf shoved me and won't stop yelling!" she replies as she points to Kili.

"I thought you said they were trained!" Hunter states with annoyance as he glares at Garett.

Garett looks to Kili furiously as he steps closer to the dwarf, but just as he was about to grab him, Nori pushes his way between them. The unrecognizable dwarf had been trying to keep a low profile most of the night as to not draw any attention while he collected his tips, till now. Like Kili, he had enough and unlike last time, he was not going to stand back and leave Kili alone. Garett lets out a frustrated growl as he goes to grab Nori, only to have Balin take him by the wrist. The older dwarf deciding that they were all in this together.

Garett pulls his hand away from Balin before raising it up and backhanding the dwarf across the face. Balin stumbles back as Garett then takes a tight grip of Nori's wrist. Hunter sets Jessie down as he steps in to help, shoving Bilbo out of the way while he takes a hold of Kili by the arm.

"LEAVE US ALONE!" Kili yells out as his arm is pulled. Before Kili knew it, Hunter had his arms fully wrapped around him as he ripped Kili from Fili. Jessie immediately running back to Fili's side as she wraps her arms around her dwarf, holding him tightly.

"Don't worry Bingo, I'm here" she says as she 'comforts' the dwarf prince.

"Kili..." Fili cries out quietly as he watches his brother be carried away.

"FILI!"

Chapter Text

Dwalin stands in the middle of the shed. The interior of it giving him chills as it was not what he had in mind when initially being brought there.

Steve the orc had kept his hands tied, securing the other end of the rope to a hook that hung off of the ceiling. Believing the Dwarf was secure, the orc had then left him alone.

Dwalin slips his hands from the cords, as he begins looking around this so called 'shed'. It was no wonder to him these people had a reputation for training. To the weak hearted, a simple glance in this room would be enough to gain obedience.

He approaches a desk at the back of the shed, looking at the various tools on it. Spotting a dagger, he picks up and runs his thumb along the tip of the blade to test its sharpness.

"Thats what I'm talkin' about" he says with a smirk as he begins arming himself.

----------

The party had come to pretty much a complete stop with Kili's outburst and the defiance from Nori, Balin and Bilbo.

Hunter held Kili over his shoulders while Garett was dragging Balin and Nori out of the house by the wrists. One of the other men in the room had taken a hold of Bilbo as he followed the others.

A couple of the women stayed inside with the kids who were frightened by the outburst, while Jessie just sat beside Fili with a frown that Bilbo had misbehaved.

A group of eight men, including Hunter, stood in the yard while the two orcs walked along side Garett. Both Melody and Siegfried follow behind with slight panic with how things had gone. They duck into the crowd as they quietly wait to see how things would unfold.

"Siegfried " Garett calls out with a smirk on his face. "Guess we'll be doing that training session now..."

Steve approaches the shed door.

Inside, Dwalin can hear the steps of someone approaching. He stuffs a couple blades into his boots, tucks a dagger into the waistband of his trousers and grabs a sword as he approaches the door. As Steve opens the door, Dwalin lets out a loud yell as he charges with the bade in the air to attack.

He manages to get a strike on the unsuspecting Orc as he swings the sword down but comes to a dead stop when he sees the people gathered outside, with his friends held close.

"Ah sh-"

Steve kicks Dwalin's knee from behind as he grips the dwarfs wrist tightly. Dwalin goes down onto his knees, dropping the sword as he does.

Garett hands Nori to one of the other men in the crowd and Balin to Siegfried.

"That dwarf of yours really is a tricky one!" He jokes as Siegfried holds an arm across Balin, keeping his grip loose as he had no intent of hurting the dwarf.

Siegfried gives a nervous nod as Garett comments on Dwalin. "Told ya, hes a bit of a wild card...."

Melody stands close to her husband, placing a concerned hand on his shoulder. They had a plan, but this really complicated it.

Aislinn comes running out from the house.

"You put him down!" She demands to Hunter as he was still holding Kili tightly over his shoulder.

"As you wish" Hunter replies as he just drops Kili to the ground from where he stood. The dwarf lands with a loud thud and a groan. But before Kili could stand himself up, Siegfried snatches the dwarf roughly by the arm.

He rips Kili off of the grass, pulling him over towards the shed. Kili stumbles by the sudden forced movement. Garett pushes Kili beside Dwalin, as he calls Joe over to restrain the dwarf.

"Don't you leave a mark on him!" Aislinn demands as she confronts her husband, still standing by her rule that Kili was not to have any visible scars.

As Joe roughly grabs Kili and forces him down to his knees, Garett stares at his wife with annoyance. "I'm aware" he snaps at her as he turns to get some tools from his shed.

Aislinn lets out a sigh as she crouches down in front of Kili. "Why couldn't you just behave?" She questions as she brushes the dwarfs cheek.

Kili pulls his away from Aislinn as she touches him. His eyes narrowed into an angered glare as he takes short beaths as his lungs wouldn't for him to go deep. "Why are you people so ignorant?" He scowls back. "You're all insane! That is my brother in that house, not some dog!"

"Fili is here?!" Dwalin asks with surprise in his voice. He tugs against the orc holding him down, the dwarf warrior not wanting to give up on their plan.

Moments later, Garett comes out with two simple everyday tools in his hands. A steel pair of pliers and some scissors. Aislinn lets out a sigh as she knows exactly what her husband was going to do. And while she'd rather him not do that to her dwarf, it didn't technically violate her rule of visible scaring.

"You should have kept your mouth shut..." she says quietly to Kili before standing back up and allowing her husband to step in front of Kili.

"You might think you need things like ropes and whips to properly train your servants, but you can use every day items you keep in your toolbox" Siegfried says to the small crowd watching, showing the two tools he had selected. Siegfried swallows nervously, as he himself was afraid to intervene. The man obviously outnumbered.

"Hold him still" Garett commands Joe, who wraps his arm around Kili tightly.

Kili's eyes widen with horror as he immediately knows what the tools were going to be used for. Considering both the orcs were missing their tongues, he could only assume this the same method that was used. His body starts to tremble as he tries to pull out of the orcs hold. Kili turns his head to the side as he presses his lips tightly together.

Garett lets out a sigh as he watches Kili try to hide his head. Setting down the scissors, Garett takes a firm grip of Kili's chin. He forces the dwarfs head to turn and face him as he squeezes the dwarfs cheeks tightly.

Kili winces as he struggles to keep his mouth closed, the mans nails starting to dig into his skin. Garett shoves the pliers between the dwarfs teeth until his jaw was finally forced to open. He then clamps down on the dwarfs tongue, pulling on it until it was held out of his mouth. The orc places a hand atop of Kilis head as Garett lets go of his cheeks to grab the scissors.

"Hmmn-noo..." Kili mumbles in terror as he tries to pull away. His heart pounding against his chest as panic kicks in. As he goes to take a breath in through his nose, his chest starts to burn. He begins coughing, choking as he struggles to get the breaths needed.

Garett ignores the dwarf as hes very clearly starting to choke as he opens the scissors and lines the tongue up with the little V where the two blades attach.

----------------------

When Siegfried and Melody had arrived, Dwalin wasn't the only dwarf that had arrived with them. Hiding outside the house, waiting for the opportune moment was Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. While Dori and Oin had volunteered to stay behind with Rigby so that they could both watch Ori and Logan.

Before heading out, each of the dwarves had armed themselves with tools and hunting gear that belonged to both Siegfried and Rigby. Gloin and Bofur each taking an axe that was generally used for chopping firewood, along with a coupe of smaller hatchets that they could conceal on themselves and some rope. Bombur, though he wasn't much of a fighter, had opted for the cast iron from Rigby's kitchen, under the promise that he would get it back in one piece. Finally Bifur who raided Rigby's fishing equipment, taking a large spear, a fishing net and smaller hunting knives.

Upon arrival of the estate, each of the dwarves snuck around the house, breaking off into groups of two. Each of them laying low until they had received the signal to move in. Though, just like at Beorn's house, they didn't know what the signal was. Their instructions telling them that they would know, which meant, go when you think its best.

Bombur and Gloin waited by the stables while Bifur and Bofur laid low in the gardens, hidden by some shrubbery. The two groups watching as a well trained Orc had lead Dwalin to the shed. Both groups decided that this was the best place for them to be waiting as they were going to use Dwalin as their signal to move. The four dwarves ready themselves, their weapons held tightly as they watch the group of people exit out of the house, led by the two furious men who were dragging their friends out.

"This is it" Bofur says to himself as he eyes Kili being held over one of the mens shoulder. "You ready?"

Bifur slams a fist on his chest as he gives a firm battle ready nod, the dwarf always battle ready.

"Don't move"

Bofur and Bifur both freeze as a female voice speaks firmly behind them, followed by the sound of a couple of strings being drawn back. The two dwarves look behind them to see Tauriel and another elf beside her, both holding their arrows pointed right at the two dwarves. Bifur raises his weapon a little, only to have the second Elf take a threatening step towards the dwarf. "Drop it" he states to the dwarf as his eyes narrow, the string being pulled back further.

"Are you kidding me?" Bofur questions in a hushed voice. "We're in the middle of a rescue"

"Do we look like we're kidding?" Tauriel questions.

On the other side by the stables, Bombur and Gloin also dealing with the same issue. Two elves, standing behind them with their arrows aimed at them. "You've got to be kidding me..." Gloin mutters as he slowly lowers his axe as Bombur lowers his cast iron pan.

"Why can't you just leave us alone?" Bombur questions with frustration.

"We have orders to return you to Mirkwood" The elf on the left states firmly.

As both groups of dwaves were in the middle of being threatened, they hear Dwalin letting out a loud battle cry, only to have it come to a sudden stop. Bofur looks away from Tauriel as he takes the yell as the signal. Still holding his axe, he starts to move out.

"I said don't move, dwarf!"

Bofur stops in his step, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"We don't have time for this" Bofur tries to explain to the female dwarf.

Tauriel's eyes remain locked on the dwarf with her arrow. That is until she hears the grunt from a familiar dwarf. Her eyes drifting up as she see's Kili being handled roughly. She gives a quick shake of the head before looking back to Bofur. "Don't worry, we'll be collecting your friends as well" She states as she takes a step closer to Bofur. "Now, drop your weapon"

Bofur hears the struggles from the middle of the yard. Both him and Tauriel watching as Garett roughly grabs Kili's face, forcing the dwarf's jaw open. His eyes widen with a panic as they should have been in and out of there by now. "If you don't let us go, now, they're going to hurt our friends, and that will be on you!"

Tauriel has a moment of hesitation as her eyes are fixated on Kili, who was clearly in a lot of distress. Then the dwarf starts coughing and choking, struggling to breathe as people just stood by, watching. Tauriel lowers her bow as she looks to the elf beside her. "Change of plans" she states as she leaps out of the shrubbery, the other elf following.

Bofur and Bifur both following the elves out to save their friends. Their weapons held high as they charge towards the two orcs restraining their friends.

Over by the stables, the two elves watch Tauriel and their companion leap out into battle with the two dwarves with confusion on their face. Gloin hears Bifur yell out as he smirks. He picks up both the axe and the cast iron pan, tossing the pan to Bombur. Both dwarves choosing to ignore the threats of the elves as they joined in on the fight.

------------------

An arrow flies at Garett, narrowly missing the man as he drops the pliers. Kili pulls tongue back into his mouth as he continues to cough and choke. Bifur leaps onto the back of Joe the orc, causing it to let go of Kili as it starts to try and get the dwarf off of its back like a wild bull. Kili drops to the ground as he struggles to take in deep breaths.

The crowd starts to disperse as arrows came flying at them from all directions. The man holding onto Nori shoves the dwarf away from him as he books it towards the house for safety. Siegfried crouches down to Balin's level. "Get your other friend there and head to the stables" He says, gesturing to Nori who was currently trying to figure out what was even happening.

While Balin had no reason to trust any of the humans at this party, he was the one who greeted this couple at the door and Dwalin seemed to be in good spirits. The dwarf had even given away that he wasn't even tied properly. And now seeing more of Thorin's company here, it was obvious they had to have been brought here by someone. He gives a firm nod.

"What about Fili? He's still inside!"

"I'll get him" Melody says, coming up with a small idea to try and sneak that dwarf out of the house.

Hunter watches as an arrow comes his way. He steps to the side as he removes a large hunting blade from his belt. He charges at the elf that shot at him, thrusting the blade forward. The elf pulls his bow in front, allowing it to deflect the strike from Hunter. The elf then pulls his bow over Hunter's head, pulling the wood against the mans neck as he pulls him in close. As he starts to choke, hunter stabs the knife into the elf's thigh. The elf stumbles as it's hold on the bow weakens. Hunter ducks out from the bow, pulling it forward and throwing the elf to the ground behind him.

Hunter gets on top of the elf, kneeling on his chest as he pins him down. With a wild grin on his face, he raises the knife into the air. The elf closes his eyes as he prepares for the killing blow. After a couple second, he reopens them to see Hunter was still in that position. His eyes opens as he lets out a small groan. As he falls to the ground, Bombur is standing behind him with the cast iron pan held in his hands. Bombur gives a small nod to the elf as if to say 'that's right, a dwarf saved your life!' before running off to fight the next person.

Gloin goes after the orc that was holding Dwalin, the dwarf holding his axe high as he charges at the pair. As he goes to swing, the orc releases his grip, letting the dwarf go. Steve uses his arm to push the axe out of the way, taking a hold of the shaft with his right hand. Steve then yank's gloin close to him. Gloin removes one of the smaller blades he had concealed, stabbing it into Steve's arm, the Orc letting go of the axe as he mumbles in pain.

-------------

Once freed, Dwalin dives at Garett, tackling the man to the ground as he pulls out one of the knives he had put in his boot. "You really thought you could tame me?" he taunts to the man as places the blade to the man's neck.

Garett lets out a hiss as he tries to shove Dwalin off of him. But as he makes a sudden movement, Dwalin presses the blade harder against the mans neck. "I wouldn't do that if I were you..." he threatens as he stares down at the man. Garett slowly raises his hands in surrender as Dwarlin gives a wild grin. "Good boy" Dawlin mocks as he gently pats the bigger mans cheek with his free hand.

When the fight had initially broke out, Bilbo had made his way towards the shed. The hobbit looking for something he could use to defend himself. He digs around the tables that he could reach, realizing that everything that was his size or within reach had already been ransacked by Dwalin. As he peers out to check on the scene in the yard, he spots Dwalin with Garett and Hunter, who had been knocked out by Bombur. Thats when he got the idea. He grabs a couple bundles of rope, running out of the shed.

"Dwalin!" he calls out as he proudly holds out the rope. "Here!" Bilbo drops the one bundle of rope as he begins binding Garett's hands together before moving onto the other man who was already downed.

--------------

Bofur was battle ready but when Kili had gone down, struggling to breathe, his plans changed. He drew his attention to the dwarf prince, practically throwing himself to the ground as he carefully sits Kili up. "let it out" he says calmly as he gently rubs Kili's back, not sure exactly what it was the dwarf was choking on. "Slow breaths...." Bofur says calmly, not entirely sure what to do.

Kili's coughing starts to come to a slow as he's finally able to catch his breath. The dwarf prince feeling tired and just completely out of breath as he leans his head on Bofur to have a quick moment of rest. Some of the makeup rubbing off on Bofur's tunic, revealing his pale skin underneath. He opens his eyes as he hears the two dwarves fighting the orcs behind them. "Don't hurt the orcs..." he says quietly. It was a strange thing for anyone to say, let alone a dwarf but the two of them were there under the same circumstances as the dwarves. Taken from their friends and families, if Orcs had friends and families, and tortured into submission. The orcs only acted under orders, and while he would normally not hesitate to kill them, it didn't seem like the right thing.

"Y-you sure?" Bofur questions, wondering if Kili was speaking from delirium.

Kili gives a nod. "I mean it"

Bofur lets out a small unsure breath as he looks back to see Bifur still riding on the back of Joe and Gloin going at it with Steve. He opens his mouth slightly as he realizes what is about to come out of his mouth. Then again, he probably had said or done crazier things.

"Try not to harm the orcs!"

Gloin jumps to the side with a slight roll as he hears Bofur yell to them. He arches a confused brow. "Ya sure?" he questions as the Orc swings a fist towards the dwarf.

"Aye!"

Bifur furrows his own brows as he leaps off of the orc's back. He calls out to Gloin, as he reaches for the net that he had folded and was currently wearing as a very strange looking half skirt. He removes the tucked rope from the belt of his trousers, holding onto an end while he tosses the other end to Gloin. Gloin catches it as the two of them distance themselves from each other, stretching out the net. Once it's stretched out, the two dwarves run towards the orcs. As the net catches them from one side, the pair of dwarves begin running towards each other, enclosing it around the orcs, tapping the two on the inside.

---------------------

Most the other guests at the party had run to the safety of the indoors. A few of them gathering up their kids and vacating the house, while others just hid themselves around. Aislinn retreated to her room with a couple of the other wives, locking the door. Cora made her way to her daughter, who was sitting there playing hand games with Fili. The dwarf reluctantly just holding his hands up as she just clapped with a small song, her hands clapping with Fili's in a rhythmic pattern.

"Come on, we need to go" Cora says in a rushed voice as she takes Jessie by the arm.

"What about Bingo?" she cries as she latches onto Fili's arm, refusing to let go. "We already lost Kili somewhere....I'm not losing both my pets!"

"Just leave it!" Cora exclaims with an angered tone. "We'll get you another one!"

"I don't want another one!"

Melody had just entered the house when she hears the young spoiled girl crying. Analyzing the situation, she realized that it was actually going to be a lot easier getting Fili to safety than she realized.

"I'll carry him for you!" She offers as she approaches the mother and daughter. Melody crouches down, giving Jessie a kind smile as she reaches an arm behind Fili's back and another under his legs. "We'll be right behind you"

Jessie wipes her eyes as she agrees to let the strange woman carry her dwarf. "Fine" she says with a firm tone. "Just be careful with him!"

"I will" Melody replies as she stands up, cradling the dwarf prince in her arms. "Just lead the way"

Cora pulls Jessie up to her feet as she starts dragging her daughter up the stairs to barricade themselves into a room for safety. As they go up, Melody heads right for the front door. Fili lets out a confused groan as he rests his head on the strange woman's chest. "Don't worry, you're safe now" she says in a calming voice as she hastily makes her way towards the stables.

--------------------

Balin runs over to Dori, taking the dwarf by the wrist and pulling him out of the fight that was happening around them.

"Come on!"

"Where are we goin'?"

As the two dwarves head towards the stables, an elf stands before them, pointing their arrow at them. "That's far enough" he exclaims as he warns them not to move, keeping his eye on the two dwarves as he ensures none of them actually manage to escape. Tauriel approaches them from the back, also with her bow out. As most of the fighting had come to an end, she decides it's time to get back on track and gather what they had originally come for.

Seeing the two dwarves caught between a couple elves, Siegfried runs over to their aid. He places a hand on Tauriel's shoulder. "Can't you see they've been through enough?!" the man questions firmly as he pulls her around to face him.

Tauriel twists herself around, grabbing Siegfried's arm, pulling him into a lock as she drops her bow. She removes a dagger from it's sheath as she pulls him in close, holding the blade to his neck.

Siegfried takes in a slow breath as he tries to reason with the elf. "Why are you doing this?" he questions as they face the mostly calm back yard as the fighting had come to and end. Garett and Hunter were both bound and brought together while Dwalin stood guard over them. Bifur and Gloin had the two orcs trapped in the net, while Bombur stood with his cast iron pan out and ready to fight the elf that he had just save as the elf had turned his bow on the bigger dwarf. On the ground was Kili, still being held up by Bofur. Tauriel starts pushing Siegfried towards the group of dwarves.

"Because they broke elven law" Tauriel states firmly as they stop in the middle of the yard.

The other elf gives Balin and Nori a shove as he commands them to follow. The two dwarves complying as they turn back around and walk back to where they started.

"You dwarves are to return to mirkwood with us, under the command of King Thranduil" As she speaks, she holds Siegfried tighter, the man tilting his head up a little as he nervously swallows.

"They don't deserve this" Siegfried chokes out, trying to keep as calm as humanly possible.

"Kili needs medical attention" Bofur states, looking at Tauriel with pleading eyes. "Please"

Out of the dark from the side of the house, Melody approaches with Fili in her arms. Behind her, the fourth elf that had managed to catch her while she was trying to make an escape with Fili. The woman just letting out a tired sigh as she just listened to the elf as she had no other choice or way of defending herself. She approaches the group with Fili held protectively. Not sure what to say or do now.

Tauriel takes notice of Fili, the dwarf dressed in women's clothing, his hair undone and done in French braids. The bandages around his feet, not to mention the few little bruises on his body that indicated he was being abused. Then there was Nori, stripped of everything that made him...him. A dwarf without a beard was unheard of to dwarves and she could tell just by the look in his eyes that he was embarrassed by this new look, the dwarf almost trying to hide his face from the others as he just stayed behind Balin.

Kili starts coughing again, wheezing as he struggles to take a breath in. Bofur holds him forward a little as Kili opens his mouth wide, trying to take in as much air as he is unable to fill his lungs. Tauriel watches in horror as the dwarf starts choking on nothing. There was no way they could get him to Mirkwood fast enough without him suffering. The dwarf clearly ill as his pale skin was showing beneath the makeup that had been painted on his face. His eyes heavy and dark. She lets out a defeated sigh as she lowers her blade from Siegfried and lets the man go. She puts her blade away. The other elves look around confused.

"Go. Get him help" Tauriel states to the dwarves with a frown on her face.

Siegfried doesn't hesitate to get to Kili's side, the man immediately scooping the dwarf prince in his hands. If anyone would know how to help, it was Rigby and that was exactly where they were going.

"Tauriel?" one of the elves questions.

"They've suffered enough" She says as the dwarves start slowly making their way towards the stables, unsure if they were going to be attacked again. Tauriel watches as they move. "Go" she states in a somewhat demanding voice to the nervous dwarves. "Before I change my mind!"

Chapter Text

It had been a long night for Rigby. With the arrival of the rest of the dwarves, plus the hobbit, the town healer was happy to have Oin by his side helping.

Starting with Kili, it didn't take long for both Oin and Rigby to conclude that he was starting to develop pneumonia. The development of a fever, the shortness of breath, not to mention they could easily hear the fluids within Kili's lungs. And judging by the bruising around his ribs, and the certainty that there had been some pulled muscles, both dwarf and man had concluded that this was brought on by a near drowning experience. Probably not an accident either as the bruising was most likely brought on by struggle. For now all they could do was use some medicines Rigby had prepared from Eucalyptus, Hyssop, and mullein, and wait while he rested.

When it came down to Fili, Rigby's main concern wasn't the obvious trauma to Fili's feet but rather his mental health. The dwarf really struggling to connect with reality as he didn't speak much. The dark circles under his eyes clearly indicating that he had not slept in days, at least not well. Though, Rigby already knew that, knowing the conditions the dwarf was being kept in. Both dwarf and man not entirely sure how to heal the mind as it was a little tricker than the body. Seeing that all Fili was saying was his brothers name, the pair had decided to keep them together with the hopes that maybe it would help bring Fili back to reality.

Then there was Nori.

The dwarf had locked himself in the bathroom the moment they arrived, refusing to get out as he didn't want anyone to look at him. Didn't help either that the few who did see him didn't even recognize him right away. Bofur had even tried introducing himself to him. His best friend. Not until Balin pulled him aside did he know who he was talking to.

"Come on, Ori wants to see you" a gentle voice from behind the door says as they knock.

"Not like this he don't!" Nori replies as he stares at himself in the mirror. His hair now pulled out of the bun, just hanging down to his shoulders. He lets out a sigh as he backs himself against the wall across from the mirror, sliding down until he was seated.

"Ori's not going to care, you're his big brother. He's just happy knowing you're alive" Dori replies with a small sigh in his voice. "And I know you and I haven't seen eye to eye, but I am too!"

Nori puffs his cheeks with air before slowly letting it out. "How long do you think it'll take before it grows back?"

"At least a few months before it will fill in?" Dori replies with confusion. Though to get what he had before took a little longer as it required length.

"Then tell Ori I'll see him in a few months!" Nori replies, not wanting to leave.

Suddenly, the door clicks before slowly being pulled open. Dori enters first with Rigby standing behind him with the key in hand from the outside.

"Sorry" Rigby says as he fully opens the door peering in. "We're all going to need to use this room eventually" he adds with a smirk as he then pulls the door closed to allow Dori and Nori some privacy as they talk.

Dori takes a seat beside his brother, all jokes aside, he could tell that Nori wasn't dealing with this change.

"You don't look that bad" Dori says with a smile just trying to break the ice a little.

"You ever heard of a dwarf without facial hair?" Nori asks as he turns his head to face Dori with an arched brow.

"Being your big brother, I can say that I have seen you many times without it!" Dori chuckles, referring to when Nori was just a wee one. A time where the two of them got along better, when Nori was a little more innocent.

"Dwarflings don't count" Nori states, rolling his eyes. "It's unnatural, a fully grown mature dwarf..."

"I'd hardly call you mature"

Nori pouts as he playfully smacks his brother in the arm.

"You know what I meant!"

Dori chuckles a little. These were the moments he had actually missed with his brother. The playful banters, the talking and playing. The times before they started to drift apart. Before Nori started falling in with the wrong crowds and getting into trouble.

"I know, I was only playing around" Dori replies. "And honestly, it uncommon, yes, but it does not make it unnatural. You're still Ori's brother, beard or no beard. You're still...my brother."

Nori goes silent as he just lets out a small sigh. It would grow back but it was obvious that there was so much more going on in his head.

Dori looks at his brother with a slight frown. Nori was usually confident. The dwarf was always running from authorities, getting into trouble and could care less about others thought. But this, this just seemed off.

"It's not just about the hair, is it..." Dori states bluntly, trying to just get his brother to open up. The older dwarf doing his best to support his brother, despite their history.

Nori looks back to his brother with an arched brow. "No, it's the hair" he states, trying to evade any further digging.

"Don't give me that" Dori responds, refusing to accept that answer. "The Nori I know would adapt and move on, but this, this isn't that Nori. There is something else bothering you"

Nori frowns a little as Dori called him out on his bluff. "How would you know?"

"Because I am your brother and I can sense these things. Plus, you might think you have a good poker face, but I know how to read you."

There was no denying that of all the people out there, Dori was the one who could easily read him. Nori gives a small defeated nod as he pulls his knees into his chest, hanging his arms over them. "I just feel weak"

Dori listens to his brother, taking in each and every word that comes from his mouth. The dwarf trying to be as supportive as he could.

"I had no control. I couldn't fight back. I let that retched woman strip me of my identity and I did nothing."

Dori arches a brow when Nori says he did nothing. If he knew his brother, which he did, there was no chance Nori didn't willingly let them do what they pleased. Nori never went down without a fight and to Dori, that wasn't 'nothing'.

"Nothing? You just obeyed their ever command?" Dori questions.

"Well, no..." Nori states, correcting himself. "but trying to fight back didn't help"

"Did fighting back against the authorities help the first, second or tenth time you were arrested?"

"...Not really....no"

"Then how is it any different? You still put up a fight. Whether it is against the kings guard, or that retched woman, you made things harder for them"

"I guess...." Nori replies "but this was different. In prison, there is still a sense of control. You know what is going to happen. That house, they controlled everything and if you so much as looked at them the wrong way, there was no predictability as to what the couple would do. I'm pretty sure I did more than Kili, yet he suffers the most. Balin was the only one who truly complied and played things safe."

"Kili is a strong dwarf" Dori says in a calming tone, believing that Kili would pull through. After all, dwarves were known for their resilience. "And so are you. Balin played it safe, which is understandable, but you and Kili, you both chose to fight. It sounds to me like she didn't take anything away from you aside from some hair, because if she had taken more, you would have complied as well. But it sounds to me like no matter what, you stayed true to yourself."

Nori hadn't actually thought of it like that as he thought about what Dori was saying in response.

"Would you maybe..." Nori hesitates a moment as he speaks. The dwarf feeling calm just sitting here with his brother, the two of them actually engaging in a real heart to heart. He would be lying if he said a part of him didn't miss these moments. Usually the two of them argued over Ori. The youngest of the brothers choosing to look up to Nori as a role model, while Dori strived to keep the young dwarf on the right path. "could you braid my hair?"

Dori looks at Nori with disbelief when he asks that of him. He hadn't done Nori's hair, again, since he was just a little one. Giving a faint smile of surprise, Dori gives his brother a nod. "I'd love to..."

Nori slides himself off of the wall, turning his back to his brother as he gently runs his fingers through his hair, flipping it over his shoulders. Nori deciding he would fix his hair back the way he liked it a little later. For now, he just wanted to enjoy this alone time with Dori. The dwarf starting to relax as Dori began separating the strands of hair, gently weaving the pieces together.

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With all dwarves, minus Thorin, accounted for, Rigby had managed to go over each and every one, ensuring nothing was missed. No missed injuries or wounds that needed treating.

Balin had gotten off easy, having only been struck once when he had finally decided to stand up to Garett. Bilbo's only injury being the rope burns around his wrists that pretty much everyone else received, as Hunter had used Fili as a means to keeping Bilbo under control.

He had managed to give each one a clean bill of heath, except one. Dwalin, who from the outside looked perfectly fine. In face he acted normal, showed no signs of pain and even helped save everyone from the Garett estate. But when questioned about any possible injuries, Dwalin brushed it off as 'nothing he couldn't handle'.

An answer like that peaked Rigby's curiosity. The healer in him insisting he take a look. And after some time of just being persistent, Dwalin finally removed his shirt for him.

Rigby's jaw nearly dropped when he saw the large stab wound on the dwarfs shoulder with a shotty stitch job. The healer surprised it wasn't somehow infected.

"Like I said, nuttin I couldn't handle "

Oin actually laughs at Rigby, patting the healer on the back.

"Fighting in battles forces one to learn basic survival skills, such as tending to wounds" Oin explains as he looks at the stab wound from a few days ago. "It ain't perfect or pretty but it'll heal up just fine"

"Alright then....I guess you're good..." Rigby says, almost regretting bugging Dwalin to share his injury with him.

----------------

Ori lay in his bed, still bored out of his mind. The young dwarf having wished he could have helped rescue the others, but under doctors orders he was so remain behind. Though, he had started getting up more and more as his fever had finally gone and his back healing nicely.

With a bored sigh, Ori sits up in the bed, sliding his feet over to the edge as he gently places his feet on the floor. He was originally waiting for his brother to return with Nori. Of course that was over an hour ago and Ori was growing impatient.

Carefully, Ori makes his way towards the door, opening it. In the main waiting room area, Bofur, Bifur and Gloin were sitting on the couches, each just laughing as they shared stories.

Seeing the others in such good spirits, Ori couldn't help but smile. The past week had been such a nightmare. Everyone being separated, not knowing what would become of the others. Though there was still one mossing, everything was starting to fall back onto place.

As he passes the other healing room, Ori can't help but peer inside, wanting to check in on the brothers as they were the only two he had not had a chance to reunite with yet, aside from Nori.

Inside, Kili sleeps on the large bed. The dwarf just passed out on his back with the pillow slightly elevated.

Beside him, Fili. The oldest of the two resting on his side with an arm stretched across his brothers shoulders and his head nuzzled into the crook of Kili's shoulder. His forhead was pressed against his brothers cheek as he was finally able to get some sleep.

Both dwarves just completely physically and mentally pushed to their limits. Both of them actually looking as though they were at peace, finally reunited after what probably felt like an eternity apart. Though Ori wondered if they even realized they were together.

Not wanting to accidently wake the dwarf prince's up, Ori gently closes the door and continues up to the second level of Rigby's home.

He passes through the kitchen, where Bombur was preparing some baked goodies for Melody to sell in the market the next morning. Goodies that she would pick up as she, logan and her husband had returned home for the evening as Rigby's home was completely packed.

As he exits the kitchen, he hears some familiar laughs. Curiously, he approaches the washroom door, placing an ear on it.

He could easily tell the laughing and the voices came from Dori and Nori. The young dwarf really confused now as he had often heard them laughing, but never together. No. Usually when they were together it was silence or arguments.

Quietly, Ori turns the doorknob and pulls open the washroom door. His eyes watering as a huge grin forms on his face as he gazes upon a sight he had never seen before: Dori sitting behind Nori as he braided his brothers hair.

Dori pauses a moment as he turns his attention to the open door. "O-ori! Oh no! I'm so sorry!" He lets out realizing he had left his baby brother waiting.

Ori's grin grows wider as he shakes his head. He didn't care that Dori got distracted and forgot about him because for the first time, Ori had seen his two older brothers actually acting like brothers.

Nori turns his head giving a faint smile. "I heard you got you first real stab wound!" he says as though it was some strange right of passage.

"Nori" Dori snaps with a small smack to Nori's head.

"Oh! What was that for?! I've gotten my fair share of scars!"

Ori actually laughs as the two of them bicker. "Its fine Dori, it's mostly healed!"

"See! Its mostly healed" Nori repeats with a smirk. "Why don't you come, take a seat! I want to hear all about it!

Ori nods his head happily as he enters into the washroom, taking a seat in front of Nori.

As Ori starts talking about the family of hunters, Dori rolls his eyes. He lets out a small breath as he goes back to braiding his brothers hair, adding a couple beads into them.

The three of them enjoying this moment as they felt like an actual family.

The three of them, and the rest of the dwarves all taking in this moment of peace, unaware of what was coming their way.

Chapter Text

After the night of excitement, Siegfried and Melody were happy that things were starting to calm down. The dwarves were currently safe and being taken care of by the towns healer. And that was where they were going to stay until they were all well enough to leave. The dwarves knowing that as much as they wanted to go out there and find Thorin, no good would come of it as there was no doubt there would be search parties for them. Not to mention with a few of them not being ready for travel, none of them wanted to be separated again.

As dawn approached, Siegfried had taken it upon himself to return to Halldora's home to check in on the two children he had left behind a few days earlier. The man feeling guilty for having left them alone as long as he did, hoping that the boys were alright and that they might be more warm to the idea of coming back with him until they could find a more permanent home.

Riding upon his horse, Siegfried travels out of the town. Following the trails until he was lead directly to the hunters house. To his surprise, there were other visitors at the home. A familiar black horse with four others tethered to a post outside. Siegfried recognizing the horses as ones that belonged to Albold and his company. His horse comes to a slow as it approaches the home, eventually stopping.

"Siegfried"

Albold walks out of the front door to stand on the porch, leaning on the banister.

"To what do we owe you the pleasure?"

Siegfried remains on his horse. The man getting a strange feeling in his gut that told him to stay on guard.

"My dwarf disappeared and Halldora has quite the reputation when it comes to hunting" he replies calmly, trying his best to sound confident in his lies.

"As he should, he does work for me after all" Albold says with a cocky grin on his face. "But it seems he's not home at the moment. Perhaps you'd like to come join me inside while we wait?"

"I can come back later"

Siegfried's horse starts to take a few steps backwards as it prepares to leave. But he comes to a sudden stop when Eija, the youngest boy, comes out of the house, stopping beside Albold. The young boy staring ahead at Siegfried as Albold places a hand atop the boys head. Siegfried getting a sick feeling in his stomach as he gazed back at the boy. The man unsure what Albold's intentions were but knowing that he didn't want any harm to come upon the kids.

"I insist"

Behind Siegfried were two of Albold's men. Blane and a taller, thinner and scruffier individual by the name of Sarod. Both of them with bows in their hands and arrows drawn and aimed at the man. Tomlin comes around from the side, approaching Siegfried and his horse, taking a hold of the reigns in the front to prevent the horse from moving any further.

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Siegfried is shoved into the house by Tomlin. He stumbles forward before catching himself as Tomlin follows from behind. He lets out a huffed breath, standing in the middle of the living room. Everything actually looking pretty tidy, minus the couch that had been used by the dwarves, with some blood still stained on it. In the kitchen, Eri was sitting at the table. A plate of scrambled eggs sitting in front of him as he quietly ate.

Holding Eija's hand, Albold enters into the house.

"Please, take a seat" Albold says calmly as Tomlin takes one of the chairs from the kitchen, shoving it behind Siegfried.

Siegfried's knees collapse him into a seated position as the seat is forced into him. Siegfried's heart starts to race as he sits there. He swallows nervously as Albold approaches, still holding the young boys hand.

"I think you're fully aware of the fact that Halldora won't be returning" Siegfried states in a firm voice. "Actually, according to my nephews here, you even aided in the escape of his murderers"

Eija nods quietly as Albold crouches to his nephews level. He places his hand on the young boys shoulder as he quietly tells him to get some food before it gets too cold. Eija nods once more before heading to the kitchen to join his older brother.

Siegfried practically kicks himself for even thinking that the kids would be in danger. Of course they would have a good relation with their fathers employer. The man regretting not running while he had the chance.

"I also heard that Garett and Aislinn held quite the party last night. Funny how you and your wife got an invite."

"Nothing wrong with trying to mingle" Siegfried replies as he tries to get up, only to have Tomlin placing his hands on the mans shoulders, pushing him back down into a seated position.

"Indeed" Albold replies as he approaches, standing right in front of the chair. He crouches down once more, looking eye to eye with Siegfried as he speaks. His whole demeanor growing darker by the second. "But you could imagine my surprise when he mentioned your dwarf. Big. Fiesty. A warrior. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the dwarf I sold you was docile. An older dwarf that was polite and soft spoken. I believe you even told me that you trusted him so much that you left him alone with your own child"

Siegfried lets out a small breath as he didn't think Albold and his men would be so quick as to figuring it all out. Then again, he and Melody didn't exactly plan on this mass rescue of dwarves. It just kind of happened.

"So you think we had something to do with last night?" Siegfried replies. "I took the dwarves from Halldora, yes, but that was because I didn't want to leave them alone with two children" he states, trying to talk his way to innocence somehow. "And in his mix was that dwarf that Garett had agreed to show me how to train. If you heard about what took place last night, you would know there were elves. It was the Elves that ambushed the party that lead to their escape."

Siegfried smirks when the elves are brought up. He nearly laughs at that. "I know of the elves. I know that it was not elves the dwarves left with at the party with. I also know that your wife had offered to carry one of the dwarves for Cora and her daughter. The two of them disappearing moments later. Poor Jessie is absolutely crushed."

Albold stands himself back up straight as Tomlin continues to keep his hands pressed on the mans shoulders.

"Why don't you make our guest a little more comfortable" Albold says to Tomline as he turns towards the front door. "I've got a few errands to run"

Albold exits the house, turning to the two men who were smoking a pipe on the porch.

"Blane, you're with me" Albold states in a serious tone.

‐----------------------

As the afternoon passes, Melody finds herself with yet another successful day at the market. Bomburs baked goods selling out so quickly.

After packing up for the day, she makes a quick stop at Rigby's, where she had left Logan for the day.

Her son seeming happier since the dwarves had entered his life. The woman amazed that Logan hadn't had any epispdes either. A welcome surpise as no mother enjoyed seeing her child sick.

Even the dwarves seemed to be enjoying having Logan around. The child like innocence just giving the dwarves a much needed distraction from what was happening around them.

With her sons hand in her hand, the two of them walk the few blocks home. As they approach, Albold and Blane are waiting by her front door. With her brows furrowed with confusion, he pulls Logan slightly behind her.

"Can I help you?" Melody questions as she stops a few feet from her door.

"I'm just here doing a courtesy check" Albold replies. "Heard there was quite the party last night...."

"Yeah, there was. I'm a little busy at the moment" Melody says as she pushes herself past Albold towards her front door, still keeping Logan protectively behind her. "If you'd like to come back a little later when Siegfried gets back, he can give you whatever information you're looking for"

As she grips the doorknob, Albold firmly grasps her wrist. He pulls the womans hand off the doorknob as he squeezes it tightly.

"Actually, you and I are going to have a little chat"

Melody winces a little as she's grabbed. The hand that was holding Logan pulls him in closer as she holds him against her. Her hand open palmed as its pressed against her sons back.

"What do you want"

"I know the dwarves are here"

Melody lets out a small breath from her nose. "You are more than welcome to search my home" she says calmly, knowing that there was nothing hidden inside. Albold loosens his grip as Melody pulls her wrist free. With her eyes on the man beside her, she places her hand on the doorknob, twisting it and pushing the door open. "After you..."

Albold rudely pushes himself past Melody as he enters into her home. Blane closely following behind before the two of them split up.

Melody pulls Logan in front of her, picking her child up as she watches the two men begin opening each and every cupboard. They knock on walls and floorboards as they search for hollowed noises that would indicate hidden rooms.

Logan wraps his arms around his moms neck as he rests his head on his mothers shoulder. She gently rocks the toddler as she patiently waits for the search to end. The woman getting even more annoyed as they were completely messing up her home.

As the men move their search upstairs, Melody follows behind. The woman keeping a close eye on them.

"I don't know what you're expecting to find" she states as the men enter into Logans bedroom.

"I know you're hiding them somewhere" Albold scowls as they throw the matress off of the bed.

With the final room pretty much destroyed, Albold snaps his fingers, calling Blane over.

"You boys done now?" She questions with extreme agitation as her sons bedroom, though usually messy from toys, was destroyed. She didn't even care that the rest of the house had been turned upside down, she just felt they had no business touching her sons stuff. "I need to get dinner started....and I guess clean the house now"

As she speaks, Blane takes a threatening step towards Melody, backing her against the wall as he reaches out to take a hold of Logan. Naturally, Melody pulls away from Blane as he dare try to touch her son. As she moves, Albold slams his hand against the wall, stopping her.

Melody jumps slightly. In that moment, Blane wraps his arms around Logan.

"Leave him alone!" Melody exclaims as she pulls back against Blane.

The child starting to cry out in terror as hes pulled away. As Blane steps back, Albold positions himself right infront of Melody, slamming his free hand on the other side of her head, pinning the now frantic and terrified woman against the wall.

"Here's what is going to happen" Albold says in a dark hiss. "You want to see your husband and child again, you bring those dwarves, and the halfling, to Halldora's farm by sunrise tomorrow"

Melody starts to tremble as worried tears start forming. The woman trying to push herself past Albold to reach Logan who was trying to reach his mother.

"Do you understand me?" Albold agressively questions.

"Y-yes...." Melody replies with a nervous stutter.

"DO. YOU. UNDERSTAND?!" Albold repeays, screaming in the womans face.

"Yes!" She replies, even more terrified.

"Good. Tomorrow, sunrise. We'll be waiting" he says as he gently pats the woman's cheek before gesturing to Blane to leave.

"Lets go" he says as the two men make their way down the stairs, Logan crying even louder as Blane carried him out the front door. Albold following close behind, closing the door behind him as they leave.

Chapter Text

"I don't know what to do" Melody says with slight panic in her voice as she sits on the couch in the living room of Rigby's home with a soothing hot up of chamomile tea that Dori had made for her. "I always knew that Albold and his crew were dangerous but never to this degree"

Beside her, Bofur, who was trying his best to keep the woman calm by just being close and tuning into his more serious side. The usually happy-go-lucky dwarf always knowing how to listen and say the right things. On the couch adjacent from her sits Gloin, Bifur, Balin and Bombur, while Rigby sits on the arm of the couch with his arms crossed. All the while, Dwalin and Nori pace back and force in the room.

"Ain't no way we're going to let him get away with his" Dwalin exclaims firmly as he stops pacing, his fists clenched tightly as he was ready to go charging into battle. "I say it's time we teach that Abrâfu shaikmashâz Ag zasasmaki rathkh-hund!"

As he speaks, Gloin, Bifur and Bombur all yell in agreement. The dwarves all ready to move out at Dwalin's command.

"Now hang on" Bofur interjects. "You run in, you jeopardize the lives of our friends"

Balin nods in agreement. All they know was that Albold was waiting for them and that he had not only Logan but Melody's husband, Siegfried as well.

-----------------

While the dwarves were all debating their next move, Bilbo had taken it upon himself to sneak out. The hobbit knowing that their best strategy would involve a little trinket he had found below goblin town that he had recently misplaced. If there was any hope of catching Albold and his company off guard, he was going to need the ring.

Swiftly and using the cover of night, Bilbo makes his ways through the streets. The hobbit knowing the layout of the town, having spent time getting to know it before his own capture. He also remembered that the the ring had fallen off not far from the town square. The hobbit praying that it had gone unnoticed when it fell.

As a couple of horse and buggies pass by the streets, Bilbo dips into an ally, pressing himself against the wall of a small home. He watches as the horses pass before coming out from cover. He makes his way to the town square, starting from where it all began as he only had a rough idea as to where the ring itself had landed.

With a small breath, Bilbo begins retracing his steps from the town square. He follows the steps he took when he had tried following after Thorin. His eyes gazed on the ground as he uses what little light there was around him to try and spot the ring. He gets down on all fours as he begins feeling around the dirt, his fingers digging lightly into the ground.

"Come on..." he says to himself as he crawls forward a few inches, throwing dirt to the side. "Please be here...please be here...."

Finally, after a few minuets of digging around, his fingers tough the smooth metal ring. Bilbo smiles with a laugh as he crawls himself up to his knees as he dislodges the ring that had been trampled numerous times and buried into the dirt. He pulls it out, holding it up with joy before bringing it in close and giving the ring a kiss.

"Thank you!"

Bilbo's moment of celebration is cut short though as a hand takes a firm grip of the back of his collar, yanking the hobbit up to his feet. Bilbo yelps with surprise, almost dropping the ring but managing to catch it tightly in his hands.

"What have we got here?" A large man asks with a threatening voice.

Bilbo swallows nervously as he recognized the voice behind him.

"No one..." Bilbo replies nervously. "Just a traveler passing through"

The man turns Bilbo around to face him and Bilbo is met eye to eye with Welles. The local butcher.

----------------

"Look, you're making a terrible mistake!" Bilbo exclaims as he hangs from the very same meat hook that he and Bombur had left Welles on when they made their escape. "Hobbit meat really wouldn't really be very good! There's hardly any meat on me to begin with!"

Welles stands at his table with a cleaver in hand, the butcher sharpening it on a rock.

Bilbo lets out a small breath as he hangs in place. The ring still held firmly in his hands, which were starting to lose their feeling as the ropes tightened around his wrists as they were hung above his head, supporting the Hobbits full weight. Bilbo looks up to the hook, swinging his legs into the air to try and get the rope to slip off the end. Unfortunately all he was successful in was causing the hook to swing, taking his little body for a ride.

"Settle down" Welles demands as he holds the cleaver up, testing the sharpness of the blade.

"You settle down!" Bilbo snaps back, saying the first thing that came to his mind, even if it didn't make sense.

With the blade to Welle's liking, he turns his attention to the hobbit. He takes a tight hold of Bilbo's left leg, forcing the swinging chains to come to a halt.

"This looks like a good place to start..." Welles says as he holds the cleaver against Bilbo's thigh. "What do you think?"

"Well, if you're asking my opinion, I still say hobbit meat would not be very good"

"Won't know till we try!" Welles says as he brings the cleaver back, the man grinning sadistically as he does.

"Oh boy..." Bilbo says as he has no choice but to act. With a deep breath, Bilbo lifts his right leg up and kicks his heel into the man's face. The man dropping the cleaver and letting go of Bilbo's left leg as he pulls his hands over his nose. With this moment of freedom, Bilbo brings both legs up once more. This time placing his feet on Welles' shoulders, giving the hobbit a boost as he stands himself up and pulls his tied hands over the meat hook. As he disconnects himself, Bilbo instantly loses his balance on Welles' shoulders, falling backwards onto the floor and landing with a loud thud.

Bilbo lets out a breath as he crashes to the ground. He takes a moment to gather himself but just a moment as Welles, despite his bloodied nose, was already coming down on the Hobbit with the cleaver. The blade swishing through the air, coming down right towards Bilbo's head. The hobbit moves his head a few inches to the left, the blade barely missing his ear as it pieces the wooden floor. Wide eyed, Bilbo stares up at the angry man standing over him. As Welles pulls the cleaver from the floorboards, Bilbo decides it's time to disappear.

With the cleaver held up in the air, Bilbo slips the ring on. He vanishes right before Welles' eyes. The butcher confused as he looks to the floor beneath him.

"How did you do that?!" Welles questions as he takes takes a step back, looking around the room from where he stood. "Where did you go?!"

Bilbo slips himself away from Welles, using his feet to slide himself backwards until he was against the wall. He watches as the butcher begins walking around the room with his blade up and ready to kill.

"Show yourself you ferret!"

Bilbo slowly brings himself up to his feet as he carefully makes his way towards the back door where they had entered. The hobbit not worrying about his tied hands for the moment as he just wanted to get out of the butchers shop. As he takes a step, the floor creaks beneath him. He closes his eyes a moment as he takes another step. This creaking board louder than the last.

"Ah-ha! There are you!" Welles calls out as he throws the cleaver in the direction of the noise.

"Shoot!" Bilbo mutters as he sees the cleaver coming his way. Giving up on the slow approach, Bilbo just goes into a run as the blade hits the wall. Bilbo hurdles himself over a couple crates as he sprints to the door. Taking the doorknob, he twists it, pushes it open and takes off.

Following behind him, Welles. The man also sprinting out the door, looking left and right as he had no idea which way the hobbit would have gone. He lets out a frustrated yell as he angerly hits his back door.

----------------------

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Bilbo stands outside the front door of Rigby's home, the door locked as someone must have locked it after Bilbo left, not realizing the hobbit had snuck out. He stands there, the ring no longer on his finger as he knocks again.

The door opens with Rigby standing on the other side. And before Rigby could comment as to why Bilbo was on the other side of the door, with his hands tied none the less, the hobbit pushes himself into the house.

"Uhh....welcome back....?" Rigby says with confusion as he closes the door, the man having assumed that Bilbo was either asleep or spending time with is friends who were currently recovering. He watches as Bilbo runs to the living room where everyone was still gathered, the hobbit well aware that no one would be sleeping tonight. At least not well.

"I go it!" Bilbo exclaims as he stands there, out of breath, his hands bound.

The dwarves in the room, as well as Melody each starting at the hobbit with confusion.

"Got what Laddie?" Balin questions with an arched brow. "And why are your hands tied? What is going on?"

Bilbo pauses a moment, the hobbit so focused on his escape that he had actually forgotten about the cords around his wrists. As Rigby approaches behind, Bilbo turns to face the man, holding his hands up a little. "Could you?...."

Rigby Squats down as he starts untying the ropes around the Bilbo. The hobbit letting out a sigh of relief as he rubs his sore wrists. "Thank you" he says before turning back to address the room.

"Where did you go?" Bofur asks as it was clear to all of them that the hobbit had gone for a late night stroll.

"Not important!" Bilbo states, not really wanting to being up what had happened with the butcher. Part of him really not wanting to think about how he was almost packaged and served on someone's plate. "What is important is I got my ring back" he says as he removes the ring from his pocket, holding it up to show the room as he stands confidently. "And now that I've got it back, we can take down Albold once and for all. I know we can"

Chapter Text

Siegfried's eyes are closed. His head tilted down into his chest as he sleeps, seeing that there wasn't much else he could do at the moment. His body tightly tied to the kitchen chair that Tomlin had forced him into the day before. A gag wrapped around his head, forcing the man to breath through his nose while he 'rested'.

On the couch in front of him is Tomlin. The man just snoring loudly as his legs hang over the arms of the couch that he was too tall for.

As the sun starts to rise, bringing light across the farm, Albold finds himself sitting out on the front porch with Sarod. Both with a hot cup of coffee in their hands. Both patiently waiting for the stolen products to be returned. They didn't have to wait long either, as a horse approaches with a carriage in tow. On the horse, Melody, right on time.

"Good morning" Albold exclaims in a welcoming tone as he stands up from the bench on the porch, holding up his coffee cup slightly before taking a sip.

Melody rolls her eyes as her horse comes to a steady halt in front of the house.

"Can I interest you in a cup of coffee?" Albold then asks as though this were a casual encounter with a neighbor.

"I'm not in the mood for your games" Melody says firmly as she dismounts her horse. "Where's my child and husband!"

"Alright, I was just being polite. I assume you have what I want?"

Melody lets out a tired breath as she walks around to the back of the carriage. She unlocks the hinge and pulls the door open. One by one, the dwarves exit. Each back to just their linens and their hands tied in front. Though loosely. The chosen wardrobe as a means to showing Albold that they were unarmed. For now.

"One...two....three...." Albold starts looking over the dwarves as he steps down from the porch, setting his coffee down. "Four are missing...plus the halfling"

"They're in no condition for travel at the moment" She replies calmly, knowing that there was no way they were bringing Kili, Fili or Ori into this. And Oin insisted that his duty was to tend to the wounded. As for Bilbo, he had another job. "Had I not intervened they would not be alive"

"No, that's not part of the deal" Albold states with annoyance.

"Its the best I could do" Melody replies as calmly as she can.

Albold turns around to Sarod, raising his hand to call the man over. Sarod sets down his coffee, approaching his boss. A few whispers into the mans ear later, Sarod enters into the home.

"Well, you did bring me something"

A few minuets later, Sarod opens the front door, holding it as Tomlin drags a chair from inside. The two back legs just scratching along the floor while Siegfried was tilted back his legs slightly off the gound.

Siegfried mumbles with confusion as he's pulled out of the house, the chair then turned around to face his wife and the dwarves as the chair is dropped back onto all fours.

Albold walks back up the two steps onto the porch, standing behind Siegfried with a smirk on his face. Siegfried looks up with a glare as Albold removes a hunting knife from his belt.

"Lets see now....the best I could do....." Albold says calmly as he traces the blade along Siegfried's ear, down his cheek and to mans shoulder. "How does an arm sound?

----------------------

Bilbo sneaks arouns the back of the house, towards the stables where the horses were all being kept. Part one of his plan: a distraction.

One by one, he starts untying the reigns from the stable posts. He gently guides each horse out before finally jumping into the air for reach, giving them a firm smack against the flank.

A loud 'neigh' echoes through the wind as the horses go into a gallop. Five of them in total stampeding towards the front of the house.

"The horses!" exclaims Albold as he drops his knife to the floor, stepping off the porch. Sarod charges past Albold, chasing after the horses in a panic.

Suddenly, the ropes around Siegfried drop to the floor. The man confused as it appeared to be cut, but without even questioning it, he reaches for the knife that was dropped and lunges at Albold. He tackles the man to the ground as Tomlin makes his move, grabbing Siegfried as he rips the man off of his boss.

As all that happens, the dwarves each begin dropping the ropes on their wrists. From there, Balin and Dori retreat to the back of the carriage. Balin jumping into it, passing axes and daggers to Dori who quickly distributed them among the dwarves.

With an axe in hand, Dwalin lets out a might battle cry. He charges at Albold as the man was picking himself off the ground. The man getting up just in time to evade the strike from the dwarf. Dwalin then takes another swing at the taller man, causing him to fall back to the front lawn.

Gloin charges behind with his own axe, only to stop when an arrow pierces the ground, coming in from the left where Sarod had run off. The man giving up on the horses as he slowly figured out this was a trap.

Behind Gloin was Bofur who was handed a bow and arrow. And while he wasn't particularly skilled with it, the dwarf takes aim and fires back at Sarod. The arrow missing by several feet but causing the man to turn his attention to the dwarf with the hat. As the archer was busy, Gloin charges in to help Dwalin with Albold.

Siegfried takes a swing at Tomlin with the hunting knife but the larger man takes a tight hold of his wrist. He begins twisting Siegfried's wrist until the mans hand opens and the blade is dropped. Tomlin then firmly grabs Siegfried's shoulder as he throws Siegfried through the large window that looked out to the porch.

Tomlin stands on the porch, looking through the broken window. Siegfried letting out a pained groan as he lays on the glass. Small shards unfortunately sticking out of his body as he breaths in a hiss. Tomlin picks up the hunting knife as he begins taking a step through the window.

Thud.

A frying pan is hurled through the air, nailing the bigger man right in the back of the head. Tomlin turns around with a growl as he eyes the large dwarf standing at the bottom of the porch, unarmed as he had just thrown his weapon. His attention now drawn to Bombur, Tomlin holds his knife up, his face twisted with a sadistic smile. Bombur takes a couple steps back as the man gets closer. But then suddenly, two figures leap at the man, tackling him to the ground. Nori and Bifur, both sit atop of Tomlin. Bifur with a spear held up and Nori with some ropes, ready to subdue the man.

Melody, Dori and Balin pass the other dwarves as they fight, entering the house. Melody immediately spotting her husband as he lay in the glass pile, still groaning.

"Sh-....."

"Don't worry about me" Siegfried says as he lets out another hiss of pain.

"I'll take care of your husband" Balin insists, knowing that her son was still somewhere in the house. "You and Dori go find Logan".

Balin kneels down beside Siegfried. The dwarf gently helping the man into a seated position as Melody and Dori make their way up the upper level of the house. The two of them able to clearly see that there was no one else on the main floor. Before they could reach the stairs, one more of Albold's men comes out, the final one of his main crew by the name of Hallgrim. He stands there with a grin on his face as he holds a sword in hand. Just as he was about to attack the pair, he screams out in pain. He stumbles and falls with a knife sticking out of his thigh. Suddenly, Bilbo appears as the hobbit removes his ring.

"I got him" Bilbo says as he leaps onto the screaming man, keeping him busy while Melody and Dori make their way up stairs.

As they reach the top, sounds of a child in pain could be heard. The mother's heart racing as she knows its her son. The follows the noise to a closed door, the one belonging to Eri and Eija's bedroom. Without any thoughts, Melody practically kicks down the door as she forces herself into the room.

Inside, Logan is laying in one of the two beds that belonged to the boys who lived here. His body tense as his face was red as it was very clear he was breaking out into a fever. Eri and Eija sit beside the bed, both of them worried as Blane actually was in the middle of wringing out a cloth, gently placing it upon the boys head. Though it was hard to say if he was trying to bring down the fever out of the kindness of his own heart, or because his boss wanted the kid unharmed for their own reasons. It didn't matter though. He still kidnapped her child.

"Get away from him!" Melody exclaims as she hastily approaches behind Blane, taking a hold him and ripping the man away from her child. As Blane is thrown behind her, Melody drops to her knees, wrapping her arms around her son. "It's ok, ma is here sweety!" she says as she pulls him into a tight hug, knowing that it was probably the stress of the situation that triggered this episode.

As Blane lands on his bum, Dori approaches with a dagger in hand. He holds it out against the mans neck with a serious look on his face. "Don't move" he orders as he stands confidently next to the man. The tip of the blade gently pressed against the skin, ready to kill if provoked.

"We were just playing a board game...." Eija says with a frown, the boy feeling bad. Neither of the kids actually aware of the fact that he had been kidnapped, as they were instructed to just keep the boy happy. "....and then he suddenly collapsed"

"I don't know what happened" Eri adds, knowing that this boy was no older than his own brother.

"It's ok" Melody says as she just holds Logan close, his body just feeling warmer by the second as his fever continued to rise. "You didn't do anything..." She couldn't put any blame on a couple of kids who had no ill intent. Albold and the others though, that was a whole new story. She gently wraps her son up in the blankets before gently picking him up and cradling him in her arms. "I'm here sweety" she says yet again in a softer voice as she gently rocks her son.

"Is he going to die?" Eija suddenly blurts out. His intention to ask if he would be alright, but not wording the question too well.

Melody doesn't reply as her focus was on her boy. Logan just letting out a low moan as he shivered. The fever making feel cold internally, despite his warm exterior.

"We need to go" She says holding Logan tightly, about to take a step back when suddenly, she's grabbed from behind.

Blane was able to call the bluff coming from Dori's mouth, the man confident that the older more gentle dwarf most likely wouldn't have it in him to make a fatal cut to his throat. So instead of listening to the demand from the dwarf, Blane turned the situation against him. He had taken Dori's hand, pulling the knife away from him with his left hand while his right hand reached across his body, grabbing the dwarf by the ankle and forcing the order dwarf to the ground. The others clearly too distracted by the sick child to notice the struggle from behind. As soon as Dori was brought upon his back, Blane snatched the dagger from the dwarf and returned to his feet, where he had grabbed Melody from behind, placing the blade against her throat.

"Slowly back up" he demands.

Melody had been taken off guard by this as she slowly takes a couple steps backwards as demanded. He slides his free arm across her chest as he holds her close to his body. The mother more concerned about her son than her own wellbeing.

Dori slowly pulls himself up off the ground, watching in horror as Melody was taken hostage. "Don't do this" he pleas, holding his own hands up with slight surrender as he did not want any harm to come to Melody or Logan. The dwarf having grown fond of the family. "You want us dwarves back, right? You can have me"

"What are you doing?" Eija questions as he watches Blane threatening to harm the woman who was here for her son. "Albold said the dwarves were the enemies...."

"Eri, take your brother and get out of here" Blane states in a commanding voice to the boys.

"But..."

"I said get out of here!"

As Blane snaps at the two boys, they run out of the room. Blane then lets out a small sigh as he turns his attention to Dori.

"You don't want any harm to come to these two?" He questions as he continues to hold Melody tightly.

"Please, Logan needs to see a healer" Melody lets out, not wanting her son to continue suffering.

"Quiet!"

"Let them go, and you can have me" Dori states once more. "I won't fight. I won't run."

"No, this is what is going to happen" Blane replies with no intent of giving up these hostages. "You're going to come with me, and you're going to do everything I tell you to"

"Let them go fir-"

"No, now, move" he snarls at the dwarf.

Dori's shoulders tense as the man makes his order. The older dwarf doing as he was told, in order to keep Melody and Logan safe. The dwarf taking the first step out of the bedroom into the hallway.

"Don't get too far ahead" Blane states, making Dori slow his pace so that he was just a couple steps ahead. "And down the stairs."

"I'm going" Dori says in a but of a loud voice.

At the bottom of the stairs, Bilbo had just finished binding Hallgrim. He over hears Dori from uptop in a voice that sounded distressed. The halfling knowing that Dori was trying to send him a message. As he hears the footsteps coming down the stairs, Bilbo slips the ring back on his finger.

Melody keeps herself calm as she carefully goes down the stairs, Blane still holding the blade against her.

Balin had been carefully removing some of the larger pieces of glass from Siegfried's arms and back when he sees Dori, Melody with her son and Blane holding them close. Balin stops what hes doing, his instincts telling him to attack.

"Stay where you are!" Blane suddenly yells to Balin.

As Siegfried hears the commotion behind where he was sitting, he turns around. Horror builds inside as he seeds his wife and child in danger. He stands himself up.

"You too!" Blane exclaims once more as he jolts Melody.

"At least let him take Logan...." Melody requests, not caring what happens to her. "Please"

Bilbo walks himself behind Blane as hes distracted. The hobbit climbing a couple stairs before finally leaping ontp Blanes back. Bilbo wraps his arms around the mans neck, causing him to shove Melody forward.

As shes released, Melody holds Logan close as she takes Dori by the hand to get him away from Blane. The woman running behind Balin and getting herself beside her husband.

"What the hell?!" Blane exclaims with confusion as he feels something on his back, but is unable to see it. A trick that he thought was just 'smoke and mirrors' as Albold had put it.

Bilbo wraps his legs around the mans torso as the man starts to frantically flail, trying to knock the invisible halfling off his back. Blane backs himself against the wall, crushing Bilbo between himself and the wall. Bilbo's grip loosens, allowing the hobbit to fall off, onto the floor. Blane then turns around, his eyes scanning the ground behind him as he tries to find some indication of the halfling.

With his back turned, Bombur charges into the house. The large dwarf sprinting towards Blane as he jumped onto the mans back. The sheer weight of the dwarf bringing the man to the ground. Once down, Bombur rolls himself atop Blane, crushing him beneath as the man started begging for the dwarf to get off of him.

"I give up!!" Blane cries out as hes unable to move.

------------‐------

The dwarves gather Albold and his men together into the large cage that sat in the barn out back. Each with their hands tied behind their back and more cords around their torso. Much as they had done to the dwarves.

"Looks like you win" Albold says in a low voice. "Now what?"

Bilbo paces in the barn, infront of the cage. He wrinkles his nose as he hadn't actually planned that far.

"Well..-"

"Why don't ya just let me finish em off?" Dwalin interrupts with hia axe held up, threatening the men inside.

Bilbo practically throws himself between Dwalim and the bars.

"No, no, that won't be necessary" Bilbo says trying to keep the peace.

Bifur starts speaking. His tone confident as he goes on and on, Bilbo unable to understand what the dwarf was saying.

"Translation?"

Bofur steps up as he decides to continue playing the translator for his cousin.

"He says that he agrees with Dwalin because if we set them free, they're going to keep kidnapping innocent people and selling them"

"Aye, I agree" Gloin states with a nod. "Whats to stop them from enslaving more dwarves that pass through? Or others for that matter?"

Bilbo lets out a sigh as he nods. They had a point. There was no doubt that they would continue running their 'business '. But at the same time, Bilbo did not want to kill anyone.

Nori raises a hand slightly as he steps forward. "I think I might have a solution" the dwarf says with a smirk on his face.

----------------

While the dwarves figured out what to do, Melody was in the back of the carrage with her son, cradling him close as he sleeps in her arms.

On the bench across from her, Dori and Balin were bandaging the cuts that Siegfried had received from the glass.

"Hows the wee one doing?" Dori asks with concern as he finishes tying some cloth around Siegfried's arm.

"He's asleep...." Melody says with a sigh. "His fever has broken, at least for the moment"

Suddenly, Eri and Eija approach the carriage, peeking their heads inside. Both of them curious about their new friend.

"Hey" Melody says in a welcoming voice as she notices them. "Thank you for taking care of Logan"

The boys were shocked to her her thanking them. Especially after everything thag had gone down. Both of them realizing that maybe their dad and his coworkers weren't exactly the good guys.

"You're not mad?" Eri questions with a frown.

Melody shakes her head at them. "You didn't do anything wrong" she says calmly, knowing they were dragged into this mess without knowing what was even happening. "I'm sorry about your loss" she suddenly adds, knowing that they had lost their father just a few days ago.

Eri shrugs as he pulls his brother close, both clearly more upset than they were willing to admit.

"Is your mother still around?" Siegfried questions, neither of them actually aware as to if she was possibly away for a bit or if she was gone.

Eri shakes his head. His youngest brother never even knowing his mother as she passed not long after he was born.

"Any family?" Melody quietly asks, starting to get the ides that they probably had no one.

"Our fathers brother but he never comes around" Eri replies.

Melody takes in a small breath as she looks to her husband. The woman arching a brow as she was positive he could figure out what he was thinking.

"Our place isn't really big enough...." Siegfried says with a sigh, but he agreed with his wife that they couldn't leave the kids to fend for themselves. "But I guess Dori here will be on his way soon.....and we could use some help"

Melody looks back to Eri and Eija. "You're more than welcome to stay with us for a while" she says, not wanting to force the boys into doing anything they didn't want to.

Eri and Eija nod their head as she makes the offer, both of them not wanting to be alone anymore. And after what they had witnessed in their own house, they didn't want to be living with Albold any of the men.

----------------------

As the sun was setting, everyone had returned to Rigby's home. Siegfried was taken in by the healer to better take care of his cuts. The healer removing the smaller glass pieces that were missed, properly cleaning the wounds and stitching up the gashes that required it. Finishing it up with several clean bandages that wrapped around his arms, legs, back and even face.

Ori had graciously given his bed and room to Logan, the dwarf knowing that the boy needed it more than him as his back was doing much better.

Melody, Siegfried, and Dori all sitting in the room with him as his fever had officially started to come down with the help of some herbs Oin had mixed together for them.

As always, Bombur had made himself comfortable in the kitchen. The dwarf making a harty meal for Eri and Eija as they sat at the table with Bifur and Gloin.

Oin found himself in Rigby's workshop in the basement. The dwarf taking in everything he could before they all set off on their way.

Bofur, Nori, Ori, Balin and Dwalin gather in the living room. Each of them glad this nightmare was coming close to its end. Close, with the exception that Thorin was still out there. The group trying to decide how they were going to approach this.

"I think we should wait for Fili and Kili" Bofur says, not wanting the group to split up.

"I don't think we should split the group either" Bilbo says with slight hesitation in his voice. "But we don't know when they'll be well enough to travel. Even Ori is a risk right now....."

Ori shoots a look to Bilbo as he mentions his name, but Nori actually places a hand on his baby brothers shoulder.

"He is right" Nori says, almost sounding like Dori. "It's only been a few days and if you go out there before your injry is fully healed, you could make it worse..."

Ori looks disappointed as Nori speaks. He had been expecting Nori to encourage him. But Ori looked up to Nori and if Nori didn't think it was a good idea, he would trust his brothers word.

"The longer we wait, the further Thorin gets from us" Bilbo continues, the hobbit knowing that by this point, he could be anywhere. Though best case he was back in mirkwood.

"Then we have no choice but to split up" Dwalin states. "And I don't just mean in two. We have no idea which way Thorin went. Who bought him. If the elves managed to get him or not. If we split up and each took a direction, one of us is bound to come across Thorin!"

"Yes but we don't want to spread ourselves too thin" Bilbo replies, knowing Dwalin had good intentions.

Picking a random direction and splitting up was way too risky. Not to mention whoever found Thorin would have no way of alerting the others, and thus everyone else would end up just as lost as they continued on further. What they needed were leads that would point them in the right direction.

"The only things I know about the man who took Thorin is that he was not local and he seemed to have a lot of gold on hand" Bilbo says, recalling the auction. The man remaining cloaked in the crowd, not even hesitating as the numbers went up.

"So our only lead is that this person was wealthy and a traveler " Balin reiterates with a sigh.

"Wait...." Bilbo pauses a moment as he thinks back to the auction. "A selling point was the key to Erebor " he states with a realization in mind. "There is a very high chance he's after the gold from the mountain!" Bilbo smacks himself in the head for not realizing it sooner. Though there was no guarantee that the man was interested in the mountain, it was still a possibility.

"Tomorrow, we split into groups. Dwalin, you, Gloin, and Nori will return to the farm and see what you can get from Albold about the buyer" Bilbo states as a plan starts to come together in his head. "Bifur, Bombur and Ori" Bilbo says knowing that Ori will want in on this, and that this was one of the easier tasks. "They'll investigate the path where the elves tried to stop Thorin's buyer, see if maybe theres a trail or something that might indicate where they could be heading...and Ori, take breaks when you need them, ok?"

"I promise" Ori replies grinning as Bilbo had included the young dwarf in the plan.

"Bofur, Balin and I will seek out the elves" Bilbo says, almost regretting those words. "I know its risky, but if anyone could keep the peace, its you two"

Balin and Bofur both nod in agreement. They were the most level headed of the group. Balin being wize in his old age and Bofur just knowing when the say the right things.

"Oin and Dori will stay behind and help anyway they can." Bilbo finishes. "I know that we can get Thorin back"

Chapter Text

Oin sits at the bedside of Fili and Kili. The older dwarf taking it upon himself to check up on the brothers as Dori was busy with Logan and Rigby somewhere in his basement preparing some more elixirs. He leans over Kili, who was still sleeping soundly, with a stethoscope placed upon his chest. He listens in as the dwarf prince takes in slow breaths in his sleep. Each breath sounding a little better than the last as the medicine Rigby had given the dwarf seemed to be clearing the lungs. Oin pulls away from Kili with a relieved look on his he looks down upon the brothers. Both of them just looking so peaceful as they rested.

Slowly, Kili starts to stir in his sleep. He lets out a small groan as he shifts, finally letting out a loud cough as he jolts himself awake. He sits up slightly, holding his hand over his mouth. As this happens, Oin reaches for a glass of water he had sitting on the table beside the bed. He hands it to Kili who takes it and starts to drink. After a few sips, Kili takes in a deep breath, giving out final good cough. He closes his eyes a moment as he just allows his head to just drop back to the pillow. He holds the glass out for Oin, who takes it away, setting it back on the table.

"How are you feeling?" Oin asks, as the prince was clearly awake now.

"Like I've been trampled by a pack of wargs" Kili replies in a raspy voice, his eyes still heavy.

"That should hopefully be cleared in a couple days or so" Oin replies as he was satisfied with how the prince was healing. And as rough as the coughing sounded, it was the bodies way of clearing the lungs, so the more he coughed, the better it was for the prince.

"Kili..." Fili mumbles incoherently in his sleep as he reaches an arm across his brother, pulling him in close. Almost as though he were protecting his brother in his sleep.

"Fili?" Kili didn't even notice his brother beside him. He allowed his brother to pull him in close, the younger prince starting to tear up as he sees his brother sleeping on his side.

"He's going to be out for a while longer" Oin says quietly as he watches the blond prince talking and shifting in his sleep. "We gave him a strong sedative to help him relax"

Oin trails off a little as he speaks. It wasn't really that they wanted to put Fili into a comatose state but the older prince kept entering into states of panic. Both Rigby and Oin concluding that while there was mental trauma, the blond prince needed to rest. Only after his body was physically rested would they be able to try and help heal his mind. As a bonus, it allowed his feet heal without the risk of bursting the blisters or accidentally flexing his foot a way that would cause pain.

"He's going to be fine" Oin says calmly. "He's just going to need you more than ever before when he awakens."

Kili shifts himself onto his side so that he could face his brother. He gently places his forehead against his brothers as he closes his eyes. Fili was always the one protecting him. There for ever bump and bruise. He even once took the blame when Kili accidentally shot an arrow through a window because he didn't want their mom to scold Kili. He did everything for Kili, and now, it was Kili's turn to protect his big brother.

---------------------------

Ori walks along the dirt road with Bombur keeping close behind. The larger of the dwarves deciding to keep a protective watch over the youngest while they did a little investigating. Ori continues on the path towards the woods, clearly able to see where the horses and carriage had gotten away as the dirt and grass had been kicked up. It was just like the map that Siegfried had drawn for the group before they headed out, indicating roughly where they had first run into the elves and where the carriage had crashed.

As Ori follows the tracks, Bifur wanders a little off the road into the forest on the side, almost like a dog trying to sniff out a trail. That dwarf following where the arrows had hit, following the leads left behind by the elves. He approaches a tree, pulling the arrow from it's trunk. He examines it, holding the arrow up as he calls out to Ori and Bombur.

"Yes, we already know the elves were here" Ori calls back with a sigh. "Maybe see if there are any more arrows up ahead or something" he continued as he stops where the carriage had clearly crashed into a tree.

"Not sure how this will help us" Bombur says with a little confusion as he walks around the half knocked over tree. "Thorin was here and now he's not!"

Ori gives a slight shrug as he gets down low to the ground. On his hands and knees, he begins crawling around the crash site. He brushes away leaves and dirt as he tries to find something. Anything.

Bombur walks a little ahead, following the tracks of the horse and carriage. Though once it gets back onto the road, it was hard to tell which tracks actually belonged to the buyer, and which were just other carts as everything started to blend in the dirt ahead. As he looks up, he sees Bifur further ahead, the dwarf actually finding a trail of broken arrows.

"Don't go too far ahead cousin!" Bombur calls out as he tries not to get too far out.

Bifur yells something out again, before ignoring the bit about getting too far. Bombur looks between Bifur and Ori, the bigger dwarf torn about who actually needed to be watched more closely. The recovering Ori, or the cousin who was like an puppy that could not be controlled. He takes in a breath before finally choosing to go after Bifur, knowing that Ori wasn't going to be getting far.

Up ahead, Bifur stops in his steps. The trail of arrows seemingly leading off trail, along with the tracks of the horse and carriage. Both of them slowly walking a little deeper into the woods until they were lead to the river. Both of them coming to a halt as they realized it was the same river that they had used to escape the elves. Back where everything had started.

"We should go back" Bombur says with a bit of worry in his voice. Even if Albold and his men were currently contained at Halldora's farm, this particular place didn't really bring good memories.

Bifur nods in agreement as this was as far as the trail was going to lead them. Both of them knowing that either the elves managed to catch up to the rider at the river or that the rider had managed to make an escape. Both dwarves slowly back themselves up, keeping their guard up.

Suddenly, the bushes behind them rustle. Both Bifur and Bombur jump, startled by the noise.

"Hey!"

Both dwarves turn themselves around towards the bush. Bifur removing the small axe he had tied to his belt and Bombur just forming fists as he took a fighting stance.

Ori stares at the two dwarves. His head tilted to the side as his friends prepared themselves to fight him.

Bombur lowers his hands as he lets out a small chuckle. "Sorry, we thought you were someone else"

Bifur lowers his axe, tying it to his belt as he apologizes with a slight nod in his head.

Ori didn't think anything of it though as the young dwarf was too occupied with something he had found not far from the crash site. He smiles proudly as he holds out a handkerchief, that used to be white but was now covered in mud and dirt. On the corner of the handkerchief are the initials "L.S."

"Think this could be something?"

-----------------------

Bilbo, Bofur and Balin walked along with Ori and his group for part of the trail, but where as Ori, Bombur and Bifur stopped to do their thing, Bilbo and his group continued on.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Bofur asks with a little hesitation in his voice as they walk along the road. "They've probably already returned to Mirkwood"

"Possibly, but somehow I doubt it" Bilbo replies as they continue to walk.

"And why do you think that Laddy?" Balin adds, chiming in.

"Call it a hunch..." Bilbo replies.

"No offence laddy but going off of a hunch isn't going to get us very far"

"....well, a hunch and I'm pretty sure Thranduil isn't going to be too happy if his scouts return empty handed" Bilbo replies with a smirk.

Bilbo did have a point. The elf king was determined to have the dwarves returned to his prisons in mirkwood. And even though Tauriel had called off her small team at the party, it didn't mean they were finished.

"Too bad we couldn't bring Kili along..." Bofur says trailing off a little. "Him and that she-elf seemed to-"

Before Bofur could even finish, an arrow is drawn just a few feet from him. He stops in his step, eyes wide as he slowly raises his hands.

"Seem to be what?"

Tauriel stands directly in front of Bofur as she and her group had been following them for some time, it just wasn't until Bofur started talking about her and Kili like they were a thing, that she decided to step out.

Two other Elves step out from the sides, forcing Bilbo and Balin to a stop.

"Oh, I was just sayin' that you seemed to have some kind of attraction to our young prince!" Bofur states, finishing with a smug smirl on his face.

Tauriel's face goes red as she pulls back on the bow. Bilbo lets out a sigh as he steps away from the elf that was poised on him, stepping between Bofur and Tauriel.

"We just want to talk" Bilbo says intervening, placing a hand over the arrow head as he slowly pushes the arrow downward.

"Then we can talk back in Mirkwood" Tauriel replies.

"Please, this is important " Bilbo states in his calm voice.

Balin decides to ignore the elf in front of him as well. The older dwarf able to call his bluff just as Bilbo had, in knowing they won't shoot. He steps behind Bilbo, placing a hand on the hobbits shoulder as he joins in the diplomatic approach in talking.

"The other night, you had the chance to take us all back to Mirkwood, yet you showed mercy and allowed us to go, why?" The older dwarf asks, with curiosity, trying a different approach.

Tauriel lowers her bow as the other two elves keep their held up. She knew why. She knew Thranduil wanted his prisoners back but it didn't seem right. Seeing how they were being tortured at the hands of humans.

"It was a lapse in judgement" Tauriel states flatly.

"Looked more to me like you were doubting your kings orders!" Bofur states, thinking about her look that night. The doubt in her mission. The worried look when she laid eyes on Kili and the others. "You're not like the other elves, you're smart and seem to have good judgement of character. I can see why Kili likes you"

"He what?" Once again Tauriel goes red, as Bofur teases the elf.

"Bofur, stop it" Balin says, smacking the other dwarf slightly.

"Sorry"

"What he means to say is that there are very few in these parts that we can trust, and we really could use your help" Balin says taking over for Bofur. "You must realize that as dwarves, we wouldn't normally seek the aid of elves...."

Tauriel lets out a small sigh as she gestures to the other two elves. As they lower their bows, Tauriel crosses her arms. While her orders were to bring them in, the dwarf was right. Never would a Dwarf seek out help from elves, nor would it go the other way.

"I will hear you out" Tauriel finally says in a defeated tone.

Bilbo, Balin and Bofur all explain to the elves what had been happening the past week. How they had all been separated. Some of them tortured, one sold for meat, each of them treated as lesser beings. And even though some of them got off a little easier, the entire situation was not pleasant for any of the dwarves. Each of them left with either physical, emotional or mental scars that would take time to heal. Though they had mostly reunited with their missing company, there was still one dwarf unaccounted for. one that they knew was being tracked by the Elves.

"I can confirm that Legolas has not yet caught up to your dwarf king" Tauriel says with a small frown on her face. The elf recognizing that they were kind of hoping he was at least returned to Mirkwood where they knew he was safer. "His team is still tracking them though, last I heard they were headed down river towards the harbor"

"If they made it to sea, then Thorin could be anywhere..." Bofur says with disappointment, knowing that it would be nearly impossible to track, especially if it was a private boat.

"Or they could be headed straight to Erebor" Balin states, knowing that Bilbo had mentioned the key. "The easiest way to the mountain is to pass through lake-town..."

--------------------

Dwalin walks into the barn back on Halldora's farm. The larger dwarf grinning ear to ear as he approaches the men trapped in the cage.

"Hows it feel being on that side?" Dwalin taunts as he paces outside the cage, staring in at the men. He holds a large hammer over his shoulder as he takes in every second of them.

"I will give you credit where credit is due" Albold responds as he stands close to the bars, his eyes locked on Dwalin. "But don't think this is over"

"Oh, I know its not" Dwalin retorts back, dropping the hammer to the ground in front. The head of it crashing into the ground with an echoing 'thud'. "Heres how this is going to work: I am going to ask you a series of questions, and you are going to answer "

"And if I refuse? You going to hit me with that hammer of yours?" Albold replies in a snarky tone.

"I don't want your blood over my hammer!" Dwalin laughs a little as he picks up the hammer. He turns his back to the men in the cage, holding his arm out. "But I know a couple of orcs that wouldn't mind taking a few swings at ya"

Gloin and Nori walk into the barn with the two orc servants from Garetts home. Nori and Gloin having chosen to return to Nori's former owners home knowing that the Orcs were probably sick of taking orders and being treated like animals. And even better, Nori had brought them with the promise of dealing with the people who forced them into that world.

"They don't say much but I have a feeling Steve and Joe here aren't fans of your work" Nori says with a smirk on his face. As it was his suggestion the other night to let the orcs deal with the men.

"Aye, as soon as we mentioned your name, these two lads gladly left their home" Gloin says, actually taking in the amusement that they were actually working with orcs.

"So, you answer my questions and I'll make sure these two keep their distance" Dwalin says, looking back to the men in the cage. "Or, you can keep being stubborn mules and I can just....unlock the door" he continues, slowly reaching for the lock as the orcs approach the cage with vindictive eyes.

While Albold remained quiet, the other men were less brave.

"No! No! No!" Blane exclaims with Sarod in a slight panic.

"What do you want?" Hallgrim questions quickly. "We'll talk"

"Cowards" Albold spits out as his men quickly turn. "Fine, you win. What do you want to know?"

"Who did you sell Thorin to?"

"Never got a name" Albold states with confidence.

"Don't lie" Nori states as he stands beside Joe the Orc. "You keep records of all your clients"

"Normally, yes I do. But the paperwork slipped my mind as we had an incident with the Halfling" Albold replies.

"He's telling the truth" Tomlin states, backing up his boss. "The halfling pulled off some disappearing act, it caused confusion and panic."

"Well, then you must know something" Dwalin replies, choosing to believe the men, for now.

"We know that money was no object"

"The man at the auction was only a counselor, sent here by his own master"

Albold rolls his eyes as his men speak cryptically to the dwarves. He knew who had bought Thorin Oakenshield as even without a name it was pretty obvious, but he was kind of enjoying trying to figure out if his men were playing games with Dwalin or if they were actually that dense. Of course, the more the men yammered on, the more Albold was unable to hide that fact that he knew more than he was leading on.

"Care to share something with the class?" Dwalin asks as he eyes Albold.

"I don't actually know his name" Albold says once more, telling the truth as he had never actually heard anyone refer to the man by his real name before. "But he is a very powerful man...."

--------------------------

Thorin lay on a bed of hay in a dark cell located up in the towers of the masters home. The ropes on his wrists replaced with metal cuffs that were linked together by a chain that ran between them. His head was pounding, as he had hit it pretty hard back in the carriage when the horse had gotten away. He lets out a small groan as he places his right hand above his right brow, feeling what he could only assume was a bandage on his forehead.

"I am growing impatient"

Thorin opens his eyes more as he turns his head towards the large oak door. He could hear two voices talking back and forth just on the outside of the door. One that sounded like the driver of the carriage and the other being one he did not recognize.

"I was told this dwarf came with treasure and I want my treasure"

"Sire, if you'd just-"

Their heavy footsteps echo though the halls until they finally come to a stop in front of the door. Thorin curiously sits himself up, keeping himself calm as he listens to the voices outside the door.

"What? If I'd just what? Risk letting the towns folk I spent-"

Thorin sits himself up even more as he furrows his brows. He could hear the loud clinking of keys as someone was fumbling around with them. Suddenly, the door clicks as it unlocks. The large wooden door starts to creek as it is pulled open and a bright light enters into the room, trailing the floor until landing upon Thorin like a spotlight. Thorin holds his hands up slightly to block some of the light as his eyes adjust to the sudden lighting change.

"Oh good! He's finally awake" The master of Lake-town says, pointing a hand out to the Dwarf as he speaks to his counselor.

"So it would appear" Alfrid replies with a slight head tilt. "I guess that means we don't have to wait anymore"

"No, we don't"

Chapter Text

Thorin stands in the middle of a large room, typically meant for town meetings and other businesses of sort. The room set up almost like a court room, with several benches in the middle of the room and a large throne like seat at the front of the room. Beside it a pedestal. Though it was almost certain that most town meetings didn't involve the master actually listening to the towns people, but rather him telling them what will be done and that was it.

The master sits upon his makeshift throne, his back straight with one leg crossed over the knee of the other. Beside him, his mangey looking counselor, Alfrid. The master grins widely at Thorin.

"I've waited two days for you to wake up" The master says in an impatient voice, as though Thorin were simply being lazy rather than recovering from an unfortunate accident while essentially being kidnapped.

"You wasted the master's precious time" Alfrid hisses at the dwarf.

Thorin stands there with his hands hanging in front of him. On his right and on his left, a guard. Both silently standing close with a large spear held in hand. He glares as the master starts talking to him.

"Sakhgirabi kana zazn tada yazârnu darâh sereja gairu." Thorin replies in an low voice, refusing to entertain these clowns.

"What was that?!" The master questions as he stands from his seat, looking at Thorin and then to Alfrid as though his loyal servant would somehow know. "What did he say?!"

"What did you say?!" Alfrid repeats before walking towards Thorin. "What did you say to the master?!" He stops in front of Thorin, putting his face close to Thorin's as he attempts to intimidate the dwarf.

"Sakhgirabmî azafr khâga gamil" Thorin replies with a smirk. This statement about smelling like old cheese true as the man standing before him smelt awful. His breath almost making Thorin want to gag.

As more words come from Thorin's mouth, Alfrid snaps his hand up and takes the dwarf kings chin into his hand. He squeezes Thorin's cheeks tightly as he continues to try and intimidate the dwarf. "Speak common you uncultured swine!" Alfrid hisses one more through his teeth.

"Ag zasasmaki rathkh-hund" Thorin replies in Khuzdul once more. The dwarf king grinning as he takes pleasure in seeing how upset the man before him got.

Alfrid lets go of Thorin's chin, suddenly striking the dwarf king across the face. Thorin's head snaps to the side as he is struck. He holds his head low for a few seconds before taking in a quick breath and straightening himself out and headbutting the servant right in the face. His forehead collides with Alfrid's nose. Alfrid yells out dramatically as he takes a step away from Thorin, holding his hands over his face. As Alfrid steps back, the two guards cross their spears in front of Thorin, preventing him from being able to step any closer to Alfrid or the master.

"You-!"

The master steps behind Alfrid with an amused chuckle. He places a hand on Alfrid's shoulder as he grins wildly at the dwarf. "I can tell you're going to be a fun" he says with a slight point in the hand as he speaks to Thorin.

"Sire...."

"Shush" The master says cutting off Alfrid as he tries to speak. "It really is an honor to be in the presence of the 'great' Thorin Oakenshield"

Thorin stares at the master from behind the crossed spears. The dwarf king really not liking the people that stood before him. His fingers curl into fists as his hands continue to hang in front of him.

"I hear you've returned to reclaim the mountain!" The master continues with a hint of joy in his voice. "I grew up hearing stories about the treasure deep inside-"

"Treasure that rightfully belongs to the dwarves" Thorin finally spits out in common. "And not foul creatures such as yourself"

"So he does speak common!" Alfrid exclaims, finally removing his hands from his face, wiping away the small trickle of blood that dripped from his nose.

"Indeed he does" The master replies to Alfrid. He then reaches into his jacket, removing the Thorin's key. Thorin begins pushing against the guards when he sees his birthright hanging in the hands of a greedy human.

"Return that now!" he scowls as the two guards keep their spears in place, using their free hand to grab the dwarf by the shoulders in order to keep him restrained.

The master grins wildly as he watches the Dwarf King get visibly upset at the sights of the key. He looks to the key for a moment. "This?" He taunts as he holds the key up close to Thorin. "You want this back?!"

Thorin lets out an angry growl as he continues to pull against the guards. His body filling with a rage like none before. The key was handed down to him by his father. It was his quest to reclaim the mountain. And now this man was about to ruin everything.

The master holds the key even closer, dangling it in front of Thorin. "You can have it" he continues to taunt, finding the reaction even more amusing. That was until Thorin actually managed to out strengthen the two guards, busting through the crossed spears as he tackles the master with the built momentum from pushing against the spears.

The master falls onto his behind as Thorin falls flat on his face. He crawls towards the master with intensity, the dwarf prepared to do anything to get the key back. Like a rabid dog going in for the kill. As the master starts pulling himself backwards along the floor, the guards each drop their spears. They each take an ankle before dragging Thorin away from their terrified master.

The master feels his heart racing inside his chest, as he watches his men completely subdue the dwarf king on the ground. The two of them practically sitting on the dwarf as they held him down.

"Sire!" Alfrid offers a hand to the master to help him up, but his helpful hand is met by a scornful swat. The master stands himself up with a slight laugh, his terrified demeanor being played off as his weird smile returned.

"Pick him up" The master commands to his men with a snap as he puts the key back in the breast pocket of his jacket. As he snaps his fingers, the two men get off Thorin, grabbing the dwarf king from under the arms as they force him back to his feet.

The men stand with their arms hooked through Thorin's arms as they hold him tightly and in place. Thorin's breathing is heavy as he glares at the master, the dwarf ready to just rip him apart if he got the chance.

"That wasn't very kingly" The master says with a forced frown as he eyes the dwarf.

"Remove these chains and I'll show you kingly" Thorin retorts with a growl in his voice, adrenaline still running through his veins.

"I'd rather not" The master replies calmly, almost smirking. "But I think we've waste enough time, lets get down to business, shall we?" he states with a clap in the hands. "You want your mountain. I want the treasure. We work together and everybody gets what they want!"

"That treasure is not yours to claim"

"So, fun fact, Mr.Oakenshield...."

Thorin pushes once more as the man insults him by not addressing him by his proper name.

"That treasure is mine to claim because you belong to me" The master states with confidence in his voice. "I paid good money for you"

"I belong to no one"

"No, you belong to me"

"You belong to the master!" Alfrid hisses as he comes to his masters aid. "He bought you fare and square!"

"Thank you Alfrid" The master replies as his loyal servant speaks. "And because I own you, I own your treasure. And like I said, I don't care about some dirt hill, you can have that"

"Kulhu saglibi?!" Thorin replies back angered that the man dare refer to his home a pile of dirt. "Abrâfu shaikmashâz!"

The master lets out a sigh as he has no idea what the dwarf is even saying, though he could only assume it was some sort of insult or threat. The master looks up the the guards, gesturing for them to take Thorin away as he was done for now.

"I can tell the dwarf is a little worked up. Take him back to his room to cool off a bit...." he says calmly to his guards as they start dragging Thorin away. But before they exit, The master yells out one final thing to Thorin.

"And Mr.Oakenshield, we leave for the mountain at dawn. Make sure you get plenty of rest!"

Chapter Text

"He's in lake-town" Bilbo says as the dwarves gather in Rigby's living room. Each of them having pieces of the puzzle that completed a full picture.

"The town is pretty closed off to the world. Only way in and out is by boat" Melody says calmly, trying to help them gain passage. "Their boarders are also heavily guarded. Chances are, if you tried entering, the master of Lake-town would have you all arrested on the spot"

"For what?" Dwalin questions with anger, the dwarf getting tired of all the hostility they've already endured. "Being dwarves?!"

"Probably for greed" Balin says, understanding that if the man had their king for the purpose of riches beyond imagination, he'd no doubt find a use for the rest of the company. "Its not ideal but if we wish to enter, we're going to need to find a way to sneak in"

"What if we just allow them to arrest us?" Bombur suggests, trying to think outside of the box. "If it gets us in and brings us back to Thorin...."

"Appreciate the suggestion Brother, but, I think I speak for the company when I say we're finished with ropes and bars" Bofur says patting bombur on the back for trying to come up with something.

"Bilbo has that magic ring!" Dori says with a small thought. "What if we send him in to keep the towns folk busy while we sneak in"

"A DIVERSION!" Nori exclaims with an excited grin, the dwarf relating this to a heist he had attempted when he was younger.

"Yeah! That could work!" Gloin replies as the dwarves all look to Bilbo who was a little nervous at the idea.

"I mean, a d-diversion could work, yes...." Bilbo says as he tries to think about how it could work. "But trying to divert the attention of an entire town? Do we know the population? The security situation?"

"Well Laddy, you'd just need to draw the guards away from their post" Balin adds, clarifying for Bilbo.

"May I suggest something?" Melody questions as she politely interrupts. "A diversion is a good idea but if the town is on high alert, it'll be harder for you to move around undetected"

"That was the other thing I was thinking..." Bilbo replies in agreement, the hobbit knowing that if something suspicious was happening in such an isolated town, they could easily close all boarders, essentially trapping them all on the inside with no escape.

"Well, what else is there?" Asks Ori.

"I might know a man who can help" Melody says, having a solution to how they could get in.

-------------------‐

Kili stands outside of the living room as he listens in on the others talking. The dwarf having snuck out of his room.

He hears them talking about their plan to get in, and then the elephant in the room is brought up. What of Fili and Kili? Even Ori. The dwarves all agreeing that this venture was going to be too dangerous for them.

"I'm not staying behind!" Ori protests. "I feel stronger than ever!"

"No one is questioning your strength " Dori replies to his baby brother. "It just might be safer if you stayed"

Kili almost feels an anger inside him as they dared suggest leaving anyone behind. Tired of hearing the others speak on his behalf, he decides to join in the meeting.

"I'm with Ori on this" Kili says firmly, the dwarf just wanting to leave this town behind and end this madness once and for all. "That is not just my king out there, but my uncle. My blood. And I'm not going to stand by cowering in some basement while he needs us"

Oin holds the trumpet to his hear as Kili speaks with intensity. The deaf dwarf happy to see Kili up and about.

"Staying behind is not cowardly" Balin replies with his calm voice, trying to reason with the prince. "This is just a delicate situation. With the limited time we have, we can not wait for you, ori, or Fili to fully heal. Its best you sit this one out and join us once you're all fully recovered."

Kili gets visibly more angry as Balin speaks. The dwarf prince well aware that recovering had nothing to do with it.

"I am not a child, don't lie to me" Kili spits out. "You think we're liabilities, that we're just going to get in the way!"

As Balin opens his mouth to speak, Dwalin holds his hand out in front to stop him.

"I got this" he says as he prepares what he believes is a speech Thorin would give.

"There was no lie in Balin's words" Dwalin starts, defending the older dwarfs statement about the safety of the three youngest members of the company. But now came the harsh truth that Dwalin was not going to water down. "And yes, you three would be a liability! Our king is in a town that sits completely surrounded by water. It is isolated from the rest of middle earth, meaning there is no room for any of us to screw up. We can not risk our lives, nor the life of OUR KING because a couple of princes wish to run out into battle! We can not be looking over our shoulder every other moment, to see if you or your brother are still able to keep up! Fili can't even walk right now! AND if he could, what happens if we're out and suddenly he 'as one of those panic attacks?! I love you boys as though you were my own kin, which is why I am telling you to stay. Not just because you're not physically ready for this, but because this is not a game. Thorin's life is at stake, and while your heart might be in the right place, we can't take the risk."

Kili could understand the points being made. But it still didn't sit well with him. Not going with them to save his family, when he knew that Thorin would fight to the bitter end to save him and his brother. Frustrated, Kili turns himself around. He hurries out of the room, slamming his fist on the wall as he leaves as he lets out a frustrated huff.

"Don't you think you were a little hard on him?" Melody questions with a concerned voice as she watches the prince storm away. The woman usually resorting to softer approaches when dealing with delicate situations, not fully understanding how Dwarves delt with these kind of things.

"It's the only way he'll get it through his thick skull" Dwalin replies back in a firm voice.

----------------------

Fili had been awake for about an hour now, the dwarf, while exhausted beyond imagination, relieved to have been reunited with his brother.

He stares up at the ceiling as he lays there waiting for his brother to return. The oldest brother knowing full out that there would be no way the others would allow them to travel. But still, they were fighters and they wouldn't stay behind without at least trying to make their point.

Kili returns to the healing room he and Fili had been staying in. The dwarf slamming the door behind him as he enters.

Fili flinches as the door is slammed. The dwarf actually closing his eyes and tensing his body as though he were bracing himself for some sort of strike. After about a second, Fili relaxes himself, looking over to the obviously upset Kili.

"I take it they said no?"

Kili shakes his head as he walks over to the bed, taking a seat on the edge.

"They're treating us like we're children. Saying we'll just get in the way" Kili replies, knowing they weren't wrong. It was still something he didn't want to hear.

"They're just worried" Fili replies as he takes in a small breath, letting it out. The older dwarf wanting to help just as much as his younger brother, but knowing that deep down, he was not ready to reenter the fight. "You should go without me"

Kili turns to his brother with disbelief. They had just found each other and now Fili was suggesting leaving him alone?.

"I am not leaving you behind!"

"You and I both know that I am the one who is going to hold everyone back. I am the liability!" Fili explains as he tries to get his brother to just go with the others. "I'm not exactly ready for a stealth mission into unfamiliar territory, let alone traveling! I want you to go and help them. I can catch up. You know that I am in good hands here. The healer of this town seems to be a good person..."

"I'm not leaving you behind. I belong with my brother" Kili says shaking his head, refusing to leave Fili's side as he lays back down beside him. Kili gently places his forehead against Fili's as he lets everything sink in. "We're in this together. We always have been."

"Don't let me hold you back" Fili replies, his voice in a saddened tone as he starts to wonder if he has become nothing but a burden. "You're a warrior and you belong on the battle field!"

"As do you" Kili replies firmly. "and I am not leaving you alone. We fight together."

--------------------

"So it's decided" Balin says quietly.

With the help of Melody, the dwarves had finally started getting a plan together. They would head to lake-town with the help of a friend of Melody's, if he agrees that is. They would learn what they could about this A.S. and the master and with luck, find Thorin. And if he wasn't there, then it was already obvious to the dwarves that he was probably already on his way to the mountain. Either way, they were going to find him.

"Oh, Dwalin, I have a question for ya!" Bofur asks, changing the topic a little with a curious voice. "What did ya end up doing with those men at the farm? You didn't just let them go, did you?"

"Mahal no!" Dwalin exclaims with surprise in his voice that Bofur would even think he would let them off so easily. Dwalin practically snorts at the idea that he would just release a bunch of men who enslaved Thorin and his company, selling them off to strangers and allowing his friends to be tortured. "We decided to stick with Nori's original idea!"

"Which was?" Bofur questions, forgetting what it was.

"Giving the men a head start into the woods before letting Steve and Joe hunt them down" Nori says casually with a shrug. None of them really caring what happened to the men. Whether the orcs ripped them apart or somehow the men got away, it was no longer in their hands. Turning the hunters into the hunted just seemed the most appropriate. "They seemed like capable men, I'm sure they'll be fine" Nori says, unable to hide the smirk on his face without the cover of his beard.

Chapter Text

Thorin lays upon the bed of hay once more. The dwarf's hands resting over his face as his eyes are closed. He takes in slow deep breaths as he tries to make sense of everything that had happened since leaving for their quest. The trolls. Orcs. Goblins. Elves. And now men. It was as though everything in middle earth was trying to keep the dwarves from reclaiming their home. Everything out there was trying to get them. At this point, Thorin didn't care about his own captivity. He lead a group of thirteen others with him. Twelve dwarves and one hobbit that could be anywhere. Dead? Alive? Thorin had no clue. And all of this was his fault. This happened because he wanted to take a home that most his company never even knew.

Slowly, he removes his hands from his face and opens his eyes. His gaze towards the small window in the cell. Though he had no idea what the time was, he could tell that it was at least night time as all he could see was dark. As he lays there, he hears the familiar sound on the other side of the oak door. The clinking of keys as though the person on the other side was trying to find the right one. Hearing this, Thorin pulls himself up to a seated position on the hay as he turns his attention to the door.

Finally, the door is unlocked and as it opens, like once before, light from the hallways flood into the room. In the doorway, one of the many guards that patrolled the town and Alfrid.

"The master told me to bring you this"

Alfrid enters into the cell. In his hand he holds a large silver platter with numerous dishes placed upon it.

Thorin eyes the man as he enters the room. He says nothing as Alfrid gets closer to his 'bed' and sets the large silver platter on the floor beside it. The dishes each filled with an assortment of foods. Fish. Pork. Rice. Carrots and Cabbage. Even several slices of assorted cakes and bread rolls. To drink? A silver goblet filled with red wine and a large jug filled with water. Not the typical food one would feed a prisoner, but rather something one would expect as though they were ordering room service.

"The master wants to make sure you're well fed and ready for the trip tomorrow" Alfrid states as he pushes the platter closer to Thorin with his foot.

"I'm not hungry" Thorin replies, lying through his teeth as the dwarf was absolutely starved as he had lost count as to when he had actually had a meal.

"Nonsense, you've clearly not had a meal in days! " Alfrid snaps back, pointing out that Thorin looked a little malnourished. Pale. A little thin for a dwarf. Even the tunic he was wearing was starting to look a little big for him as the dwarf had clearly lost some weight over the last few days. "Eat!"

"No thank you"

"EAT!"

There was no denying that the food looked very appetizing. And if the circumstances were different, he wouldn't hesitate but he had reached the point where eating something like this wouldn't even feel right. Not to mention, the more Alfrid tried to command him to do something, the less he wanted to do it. When the man yells at him, Thorin just simply arches a brow as he gives Alfrid a look that read 'you seriously think I'm going to listen to you?'.

Alfrid lets out a frustrated yell as the dwarf refuses to listen to him. In his bit of rage, Alfrid grabs one of the bread rolls into his hand. He lunges himself forward, grabbing Thorin's shoulder with his free hand as he thrusts the bread roll into Thorin's mouth with the other. Thorin's upper body is shoved against the stone wall behind him as the bread is forced into his mouth. He reaches up with his hands, grabbing a hold of Alfrid's wrist as he continues to press the bread into his mouth. The dwarf king starts to gag as he pulls against Alfrid's arm, trying to get him off. As he manages to pull the extended arm out of his face, Thorin once again thrusts his own head forward. His forehead colliding with Alfrid's nose once more.

Alfrid drops the crumbling, half chewed roll on the ground as he lets go of Thorin. He stumbles back several steps, holding his face once more as he yells out. Cursing in pain as he had allowed that dwarf to get him for the second time. Thorin smirks as he spits out the small pieces of bread that had broken off in his mouth. He then wipes off his mouth with his hand as the guard who was with Alfrid comes running into the room. He holds his spear out, pressing it against Thorin's neck.

Thorin continues to smirk as he leans back against the wall with his chin slightly raised up. He wasn't going to go anywhere. He was just enjoying watching the buffoon stumble around and curse. Part of him starting to see why he was kept around.

"You're lucky the master wants you alive!" Alfrid scowls behind his hands as he holds his nose. "I would have had your head for that!"

"Lucky me" Thorin replies, not remotely threatened by the guard or Alfrid.

Alfrid drops his hands from his face as he lets out what could only be described as an angered growl. Once again, he reaches down to the platter of food, grabbing yet another bread roll. His grubby hand crushing it as he crouches down right in front of Thorin. His face filled with anger for allowing himself to be humiliated by the dwarf a second time.

The guard pulls the spear out of the way as Alfrid moves in close. As the fistful of food is thrown at his face, Thorin ducks his head to the left. The dwarf King dodging as Alfrid's hand smashes into the rock hard wall behind.

Alfrid's screams out in pain as he pulls his hand back from the wall. The bread roll drops to the floor as Alfrid retracts his hand to his chest. The man stumbling back as he hisses out in agony.

Thorin laughs to himself as he watches the man before him buckling over as he continues to hold his hand close.

Even the guard couldn't help but laugh at Alfrid's misfortune. Then again, Alfrid wasn't really liked by anyone in the town, so it was always fun seeing the man get what was coming his way.

"You filthy little-" Alfrid hisses as he shoots a glare at the dwarf king. "You'll regret that!"

Holding his hand tight, Alfrid starts to stumble backwards towards the door. The man growling to himself as he finally turns around and runs off down the hall.

"He deserved it" the guard casually says, looking at the now empty doorway.

Thorin gives a subtle nod as the guard speaks to him, also keeping his gaze ahead towards the door. Though somehow Thorin kind of figured out the man was kind of a punchingbag around here.

"You really should eat though" The guard says in a more sympathetic tone. "I'd hate to see Alfrid get the upperhand because you allowed your strength to diminish"

Still seated, Thorin looks up to the guard as he speaks. The whole demeanor almost reading as though he wasn't fond of Alfrid or the Master. Though his words spoke of strength against Alfrid, it almost felt as though he were trying to tell the Dwarf not to give up so easily.

Thorin watches as the guard finally leaves. The door closing behind him, leaving Thorin once more in the darkness with only the light from the small windows as the lock clicks.

Chapter Text

While it had taken some convincing, Fili, Kili, and Ori had finally agreed to remain behind under the care of Rigby, until they were more fit to continue the quest. Each of them with the understanding that there was no room for error. Even Oin had decided to stay behind for support. There to help move the healing process along faster, and to do a little more studying of the town Healers notes before he had to leave. The four of them hoping that they would be able to make the journey to the lonely mountain and rejoin the others in just a few days.

As the morning hits, Melody and Siegfried lead the Dwarves back out towards the riverbanks. Back to where their adventure had come to an abrupt halt.

"You're sure we can trust this friend of yours?" Dwalin asks suspiciously as he starts thinking about the moment they were ambushed.

"Yes" Siegfried replies as they stop along the riverside.

"We haven't led you astray yet, have we?" Melody questions back.

"I suppose not" Dwalin replies.

Luckily the group didn't have to wait long. A medium sized transport boat approaches from the distance. Within minuets, it pulls up to the shoreline where the river reaches the larger body of water.

"These the dwarves you told me about?" A man calls out as he jumps off the side of the boat, into the shallow water as he pulls it a little more onto the land.

"They sure are" Melody replies as she approaches the sailor. She pulls the man into a hug, like two friends reuniting after a long while apart. "Albold took them prisoner a while back but well, I don't think we'll be seeing much of him around anymore"

Bard smirks at the comment about Albold. He wasn't fond of the man. No one really was. Most tolerated him as he was the one in charge. Other were more afraid of him.

Melody places an arm on Bards back as she leads him to the dwarves.

Dwalin steps forward, his eyes narrowed in a suspicious glare as he eyes the strange man. His brother Balin however, gently pushes him aside and steps forward.

"Balin, at your service" he says with a polite bow.

Bard looks at the dwarf with a little confusion as he returns the small bow. "Uh..Bard" he replies, unsure what their etiquette was. "So, its just the nine of you?"

"For now" Bilbo interjects, stepping beside Balin. "Four of our company will require passage in just a few days time."

"And our King has already entered lake-town with someone known as the master" Balin says, finishing for Bilbo.

Bofur holds out the handkerchief that Ori had found. "We assume Thorin is with the man who owns this?"

As soon as the master was mentioned, Bard knew exactly where Thorin was. When Bofur holds out the handkerchief, Bard pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Alfrid..." he mutters under his breath. "Basically the Masters dog"

It was easy to tell by the tone that Bard was not a fan of either man.

"Is he dangerous? Someone we should be worried about?" Gloin suddenly exclaims in a battle ready voice.

"Quite the opposite" Bard lets out as he shakes his head. "Cowardice. Greedy. Lacking of intelligence."

"Intelligent or not, he still took our king" Balin states, reminding the company that they still couldn't let their guard down.

"Well, we should get moving" Bard says as he gestures towrds his boat. On it, several barrels filled with fish, while others were empty.

"Not these again...." Nori groans as he looks at the barrels.

"Its the only way we're sneaking you all in" Bard replies with a shrug. "Its that or you hold your breath a long time under the boat"

"Barrel will do" Nori replies in defeat.

As the dwarves each approach an empty barrel, Melody walks over to Bombur.

"Bombur, before you go" she starts as she pulls out a small pouch. "This is for you"

Bombur takes the pouch. He opens it to see several gold pieces insidem "I couldn't!" He replies as he holds it back to her.

"No. This is your half from the market. I can't let you go unpaid for all the baking you did for me!"

Bombur places the pouch back in Melodys hand as he shakes his head. "I love cooking. Baking. Eating. You don't owe me anything!" He replies, refusing to take money she probably needed more. "Just promise me next time I see you or anyone in that town, that no one will try to eat me!"

Melody chuckles a little as she gives a nod with a light smile. "I promise" she replies as she pulls the larger dwarf into a hug.

As she pulls away from Bombur, Dori approaches from behind.

"I hope you weren't going to forget about me"

"Of course not!" Melody quickly replies as she turns around. Almost immediately she crouches down and wraps her arms tightly around the gentle dwarf. "I am so lucky to have met you, master Dori" she says in the hug.

"And I you" he replies.

Melody pulls back from the hug, holding her hands on Dori's shoulders as she looks him in the eyes. "I promise we will take good care of your baby brother and his friends."

"I know you will"

"And please, once this mess is over with, come visit. I know Logan would love that"

"Aye" Dori replies softly with a kind smile. "I promise this won't be our last meeting"

Siegfried had just finished with his own goodbyes as he waits beside the boat. "We should let them leave before it gets too late" he calls out.

Melody pulls Dori in for one final hug as she hears her husband call. She pulls away from Dori as she allows the dwarf to get into his hiding place. She rejoins her husband, watching as bard starts putting lids on the barrels, having the ones filled with fish on the perimeter of the barrels, while the ones with dwarves were more cener, making them less likely to be inspected as rarely did boarder guards inspect each and every barrel.

-----------------------

Bilbo shifts inside the barrel, peering through one of the many little holes that provided him with some light. He sees the large wooden walls of the town getting closer as the boat approaches the gates to enter.

"Back so soon?"

"It was just the usual. Barrel collection." Bard says as he pulls up to the dock. He hands the guard some of the usual paperwork to enter, ans lifts up the lids on a couple barrels. "And picked up some fish for the market"

"Looks good to me" the boarder guard says as he stamps the papers. "Tell the kids I say hi"

"Will do"

As the gates open, Bard returns to the stern of the ship and begins using the paddle in the back to ease it forward. He hears music and loud cheering in the distance.

"Whats going on?" Bard asks as the boat slowly moves.

"Something about treasure" the guard replies with a shrug. "Who knows? The master will do anything for attention these days"

"Of course"

The boat finally passes into Lake-town and the gates behind are closed once more. While Bard would usually be greeted by the usual townsfolk going about their business, most the streets were cleared as most the population was gathered towards the towns center.

"Whats going on?" One of the dwarves questions as they too hear the sounds of celebration.

"I'm not sure, but this is good" Bard replies calmly as he guides the boat through the town. "Everyone is distracted"

"Good? They have our king!"

"I can't see what's happening"

"Whats going on?!"

"Please, quiet" Bard replies in a hushed voice as he passes by the gathered mass of people. Bard watches a moment, looking through the crowds.

In the middle of the square, the master of Lake-town. All dressed up in his fancy clothing. With a metal chest plate on his breast. And a sword. Though he was trying to dress as a warrior, the master was not fooling anyone. The closest thing he had ever seen to a real fight was a brawl between a couple of drunkards at the bar.

Beside him, a dwarf. No doubt in his mind it was the one these dwarves were searching for. The dwarf equipped with a metal chest plate, as well as some leather clothes. Though the chains around his wrists made him look more like a prisoner of war than a warrior about to reclaim the mountain. The dwarf king just standing there against his will, right beside the master as though he was some prized possession as the master gave his speech to hype up the people.

Bard was at little relieved that the dwarves weren't be able to see through the crowds from with the barrels. The man guessing they would probably act without thought and blow their cover.

"Today is a glorious day, citizens of Lake-town! For today is the last day we live in poverty"

As the man speaks, the people start cheering loudly. The crowd moving about as people get excited.

"Today myself and a select brave few shall venture forth, and we will not return without riches that will make Lake-town prosperous. No. That will make Lake-town the wealthiest place in all of middle earth! People will marvel when they visit!"

Bard could see some of the barrels starting to shift a little. The dwarves inside getting restless as they too hear the words, knowing that he was talking about Erebor.

"Take it easy" Bard says as he directs the boat onward and away from the town square towards his home.

"He's planning to take our gold" Dwalin hisses.

"Please keep it down. There are too many guards and people around." Bard replies nervously, not wanting to get spotted.

The boat turns down a side street before Bard finally pulls it to a stop in front of his own home. He takes a few looks around, checking for any onlookers. Seeing that everyone was too distracted with the master and his pre-victory speech, he starts removing the lids from the barrels.

"Up the stairs" he says as the dwarves start climbing out of their hiding spot. "Into the house before anyone notices.

One by one they begin scurrying from the barrels and into the home as instructed, each trying their best to ignore the loud booming voice talk about their treasure, their home and their king as though they all rightfully belonged to him.

Chapter Text

"The lost treasure of Erebor shall be lost no more! Now that we have this!"

The master holds the key of Erebor in the air as the mass crowd of people begin cheering. He grins wildly as he places it around his own neck. A simple action that pissed Thorin off more than one could imagine.

As the people continue to celebrate their fortune, that had yet to come, the master places a hand on Thorin's back as he begins leading Thorin away from the stage.

"They'll probably have your head when they find out you're giving them false hope and empty promises" Thorin scowls in a low voice as they walk.

The master smiles, waving to the crowd as his selected few men follow behind. Plus Alfrid.

"I doubt that, Mr.Oakenshield"

As the master once again disrespects him, Thorin stomps the heel of his boot into the foot of the master. The master grits his teeth as he then returns the act by shoving the dwarf.

Thorin stumbles slightly, but not enough to actually be knocked down.

"Did your stories not mention the dragon" Thorin questions, as they stop in front of a large boat.

Three men climb into the boat. They each begin getting their sails set and begin tying and untying knots.

"I just assumed you already had a means of dealing with it" The master says as he pushes Thorin onto the boat.

One of then men aboard the boat catch Thorin, guiding him to a seat in the middle of the boat. The master follows, behind, sitting down beside Thorin, as Alfrid climbs in, taking the spot behind the dwarf. The dwarf king strategically placed in the center of everyone to ensure he didn't try anything funny. Four more men climb into the boat, each sitting themselves down before finally, the boat takes off.

The master once again gives a wide smile as he waves to the people. With a quick glance, he notice Thorin sits there with a scornful look on his face. The master elbows the dwarf in the ribs.

"Smile" he says. "You're going home"

Thorin flinches as he's elbowed. But rather than smile as he was told to, he turns his glance down to the floor. The dwarf already knowing that not only was the quest ruined, this man was going to get them all killed.

-------------------

It wasn't long before the boat was pulling up against the shorelines along the mountains. Thorin couldn't help but gaze upon the mountains ahead. The dwarf had finally made it, but this was not how it was supposed to be.

"Funny how inside that pile of rock is unimaginable wealth" The master says as a places a hand across Thorin's shoulders, pulling the dwarf in close as he disrespects Erebor. "Pity you Dwarves didn't fight back"

As Lake-Town guard start exiting the boat, Thorin elbows the master in the stomach. The dwarf king having heard enough from the master himself. The dwarf king tired of how he belitted his kin and spoke ill of Erebor.

As the Master of Lake-town buckles over, Thorin stands from his seat and shoves himself past the guard that was seated beside him. He steps onto the bench as he leaps over the edge of the boat. With his hands brought to a point over his head, he dives into the water.

"STOP HIM" The master commends in anger as Thorin disappears off the edge.

"YOU HEARD THE MASTER, GET THE DWARF" Alfrid repeats loudly as the guards start runing along the shoreline.

Thorin emerges from the water with a gasp for air. The dwarf starts to bob under the water as he struggles to keep himself afloat as his chained hands didn't exactly make it easy to swim. Not to mention he wasn't much of a swimmer to begin with.

Thorin falls beneath the water once more until a hand grabs the back of collar, ripping the dwarf king out of the water. Two guards drag Thorin to the shoreline before tossing him back to the ground, right at the feet at the master.

"Did you have a nice swim?" The master questions with a smirk on his face as he looks down at the drenched dwarf.

"Looked more a drowning rat if you ask me" Alfrid taunts, adding his own two cents to the matter.

Thorin begins coughing as he catches his breath. He wasn't entirely sure why he thought he could simply swim away. Aside from the fact that he wasn't a strong swimmer, Thorin was wearing heavy leather and armor, plus his hands were bound. He lets out a small frustrated groan as the master snaps his fingers.

"Pick him up"

On command, the two guards who had dragged Thorin from the water hoist the dwarf back to his feet.

"At least he smells better, sire" Alfrid says with a chuckle as the master starts to walk away.

Then guards give Thorin a small shove as they start following the Master towards the base of the mountain. Thorin follows but remains quiet, knowing no doubt that these men had no idea where they were even going.

It wasn't much longer before they finally reach the mountain itself. The morning now fading into the early afteroon as everyone comes to a halt.

Before them the large statue of dwarven guards that stands before what used to be the entrance if the mountain. A sight that Thorin hadn't laid eyes upon since his younger days. Just standing beneath them almost made him forget he was here as a prisoner, rather than a king.

"How does this key work?" The master questions as he walks along the mountain side, his hand pressed against the stone as he tries to figure it out. Alfrid following behind him, also pressing the stone as though searching for a secret entrance.

Thorin's eyes snap down from their gaze to see the master if lake-town trying to figure out how to open up the obviously caved in door. He stands there, at the feet of the dwarf guard statue, watching in disbelief.

Thorin's silence only agitates the master as he finally pulls away from the mountain. He pulls the key from around his neck and holds it out before Thorin as he speaks with frustration.

"How do you open the door?!"

Thorin arches a brow as he looks past the master to Alfrid who has his ear pressed against the stone as he knocks.

"I don't know if you're blind or daft but there is no getting inside this way" Thorin states flatly, as he points out the obviously rubble blocking the way inside. And it wasn't just a matter if a few stones here and there, smaug msde sure to barricade himself inside, this particular tunnel inside would have been destroyed all the way through.

The master reaches out and grabs Thorin by the shirt collar. He pulls the dwarf to his toes as he leans in close.

"Then where is the door for this?"" The master questions with agitation.

"I don't know" Thorin replies, refusing to be intimidated.

"Where. Is. The. Door?"

"I. Don't. Know."

In his frustration, master swings Thorin arouns and slams him into the base of the dwarf statue. He presses the dwarf king firmly against the stone as his own face becomes red with anger.

"I'm only going to ask this one final time, Dwarf....where is-"

"I told you!" Thorin replies, cutting the man off with his own frustration. "I don't know! Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you"

The masters hand balls into a fist as he throws a strong punch into Thorin's stomach. As he lets go of the dwarf, Thorin buckles over, his hands held against his stomach as he lets out a groan of pain before finally sliding hid back down the statue until he was seated on the ground below.

"Spread out!" The master exclaims to the seven guards that had joined him on this journey. "Search for a way inside! A door, stairs, anything!"

"Yes sir"

The guards all split up, three going left while the others go right. None of them sure what they were looking for but none of them really wanting to question the orders of the master.

As the guards split up, the master approaches Thorin. He crouches down to the dwarf as he maintains eye contact.

"How is it, that a dwarf from this rock pile doesn't know the other way in?" The master questions calmly, though his face obviously read how displeased he was.

"I was young when smaug ran us from our home" Thorin replies, knowing there was no info here that would compromise his initial quest. "I had only learned of the hidden door a few months back"

The master arches a brow as he tries reading the dwarf king, even with Thorin's neutral expression.

"No one told you about it?"

"I was not King, nor was my father, not to mention Erebor was prosperous and at peace. There was no need"

"Hes obviously lying, sire" Alfrid spits out, leaning over his masters shoulder, shooting a glare at the dwarf king.

The master stands himself back up, batting Alfrid away from him. He takes in a deep breath before turning his back away from Thorin and taking a few steps away.

"Lying or not, we will find a way into the mountain" he states before turning back to face Thorin. "Even if it means blowing a hole through these ridiculous statues"

Thorin growls in Khuzdul as the man threatens to destroy the guardian statues. The monuments that stood proudly at what used to me the entrance into Erebor. A true testament to Erebors greatness.

-------------------

Several hours has passed, and the afternoon was nearing its end. The master found himself sitting on a large rock, while Alfrid had gotten a fire started. The mangey man sitting beside it as he prepared some food for himself and his master.

Thorin hadn't moved from where he was seated. His back still against the foot of the dwarf guardian statue. His eyes were closed but he was not asleep. The dwarf king simply resting his eyes as he took slow breaths in and out. He was so close to getting his home back, yet so far as he did not want these people anywhere near his home. As much as it pained him, he was praying to Mahal that the door would remain hidden.

"Sire, we found something!"

As Thorin hears those words echo across the wind, his eyes slowly open. His heart starts to sink as he overhears the guard muttering something to the Master and Alfrid about possibly finding the other way inside. Both men grinning ear to ear with joy at the news. The master looks over to Thorin with that eerie grin on his face. The dwarf king tenses uncomfortably, as he continues to pray that what the guards claim was false.

There was no way they found it. They couldn't have, right?

Chapter Text

"Da? What is going on?" A soft voice questions as the Dwarves pile into the home.

Bard was the last to enter, ensuring that everyone had gotten inside unnoticed by the town. Which, thanks for the Masters love of drawing attention to himself, wasn't any issue. Just beyond the front door stood Bard's three children; Bain, Sigrid, and Tilda, all with confused looks on their faces.

Naturally, Bofur was the first to approach the kids. The dwarf politely smiling as he held out his hand for introduction. While the others stood back, keeping their guards up.

"Bofur, at your service!" he says as Sigrid awkwardly accepts his hand.

"Sigrid...."

"They're not going to be here long" Bard says as he pushes past the Dwarves, towards his kitchen table. "It's just a quick stop and then we're off." Bard begins rummaging through the kitchen, removing old spears from behind cubbies. Rusted axes from the hidden panels in the ceiling. He had even retrieved a couple of his old hunting equipment that he had used to train his children when they were smaller. He lays each weapon down on the kitchen counter.

Dwalin steps up to the table, picking up one of the sad looking axes. It's head clearly having seen better days as it's blade was rusted and filled with chips. He frowns as he tosses it back onto the table, shaking his head. "I thought you had weapons" he states with frustration.

"These are weapons!" Bard replies, defending the few weapons he had to protect his family.

Bifur and Gloin each do the same. Picking up the spears and hammers. Both looking disappointed in the quality of weapons that the man was providing them with. It was almost as though they were judging the workman ship of the pieces as they knew that had their people made them, they would not rust or fall apart so easily.

"This is just mere strikes away from crumbling" Gloin says as he holds up one of the hammers.

"Isn't there an armory around?" Balin questions in his usual calm voice.

"There is, but it's under lock and key" Bard states, brushing off the idea. "It's heavily guarded and you'd be tossed in the dungeons and left there till the end of your days under the accusation of treason."

Nori wanders over towards the windows of Bard's house, looking out at the mass crowd of people gathered. Each of them glued to the master of lake-town as he continues to give a grand speech. "Are you sure about that heavily guarded part?" Nori questions as he continues to look, noting that the majority of the towns folk, including the guards, attending the event. "Because I'd be willing to bet my share of the gold that it's not as guarded as you think"

Bard walks over to the window, standing behind Nori. Considering the amount of people in the square, Nori could actually be right. It was entirely possible that most if not all of the guards had been pulled from their station in order to be there for this once in a life time moment. Though, from the looks of it, the master was coming close to finishing his big 'performance'.

"Fine, but, if we are wrong, we turn back"

---------------

As predicted, the armory was indeed lacking in guards. So much so that there was only one stationed outside the main door.

The only other way in, a window at the side of the building that was too high for even a normal sized human. As per the instructions of the dwarves, Bard found himself wandering over to the lone guard.

"You got stuck here, huh?" Bard casually asks as he saunters over.

The guard glances over at Bard, giving a smirk as he relaxes a little. "The master pulled everyone else for his grand speech about mountain gold"

"And you didn't want to go?"

"Nah, I put up with his yammering on a daily basis."

Both men chuckle as they speak about the master. The nice thing about lake-town being small and isolated was that everybody knew everybody. And it was a known fact that no one really liked the master, but the people didn't bother fighting back against him as bad things usually happened when they did.

As the two men talk, the dwarves begin piling up on each other, growing taller and taller until one of them was able to get inside. From there, the dwarf pulls in a couple others and the raiding inside begins.

"How are the kids doing? Bain getting any better with his hunting?"

"Bain has gotten better with aiming the arrow, its just a matter of keeping it steady, but he's getting there!"

"Well, if he's anything like his old man, he'll be hitting bullseyes in no time!"

After a good ten minuets, the dwarves begin vacating the building. The ones inside having passed down a surplus of axes, spears, hammers and bows and arrows, to the dwarves who waited outside.

Once finished, Bofur leans around the corner of the building. He holds his hands over his lips as he makes a strange sounding bird call. Or what he claimed was a bird call.

"What was that?" The guard questions as he turns with confusion, just missing the dwarf as he had ducked behind the building.

"I'm not sure...I'll uhh- I'll go check that out...." Bard says as he takes large steps away from the guard. "And tell the wife I say hello!"

--------------

By the time the dwarves had return to Bard's home, the town had already started to disperse as The master and his group had already set sail for the lonely mountain. So had the dwarves taken a little longer inside the armory, there was no doubt they would have been spotted by someone.

Bard enters into his home, his jaw ajar as he stares at the pile of weapons and armor just laying in the middle of the floor. He had assume they would take just a few items here and there but it almost looked as though they had emptied the place. He watches as Dwalin picks up a hefty axe. He holds it high with a grin on his face as he takes claim to the weapon. Dori picks up a helmet, it's size a little too big for him as it falls over his eyes as though he were a child trying on his parents clothes. In fact all the leather and metal armor they had taken was a bit big for them.

"I really hope that guard doesn't get in too much trouble for this" Bard mutters to himself as he now thinks about what was going to happen when they discover so much missing.

"What was that?" Dori asks as he pulls the helmet up so he could see.

"Nothing" Bard replies quickly.

Sigrid grabs the helmet off of Dori's head as she examines it. "I think we're going to have to make a few modifications to this stuff if you want it to fit..." she says as she looks inside, wondering how she could better fit the helmet for the dwarf.

"Can it be done?" Bombur questions as he holds up a breastplate that was actually too small for him, rather than large like the rest of the dwarves.

"It's going to take some time but yeah, It can be done" Sigrid replies with a shrug. While she knew how to alter dresses and other clothes, she felt confident that should would be able to fix some of the pieces to fit better.

"How much time?" Balin suddenly questions. "Because we don't have much time"

"Normally a few days" Sigrid replies, knowing that was not an answer they wanted. "But I'm sure if Da helps, along with Tilda and Bain, we could get you fitted by nightfall?"

"Can't you do sooner?" Dwalin questions, knowing that Thorin already had a head start on them.

Sigrid shakes her head when he asks for it to be done sooner. And as she is about to talk, Bard takes over.

"Nightfall would be the best for travel" He says, pointing out that if they went out in daylight, now that the people have returned to their everyday lives, they would be stopped immediately. "It will draw less attention"

"Then it can't be helped" Balin states, understanding the logic behind leaving under the cover of night. "Lets get to work"

Chapter Text

Thorin, The master, Alfrid and the guards all stand at the bottom of the mountain. Before them, a tall, narrow stairway that started at the base up the mountain and stretched further than the eye could see. Thorin smirks to himself as he glances to the master who stood behind him. The dwarf confident there was no way a man of his stature would make it past the first climb. Heck, he was sure he saw the master get winded just trying to climb the stairs to his own home.

"What's so funny?" Alfrid snarks as he catches Thorin glancing at the master with a smug look on his face.

"Just thinking about how high your master will get before he becomes winded" Thorin replies, his smirk growing bigger as he openly insults the master and his physical appearance.

"APOLOGIZE YOU SWINE!" Alfrid exclaims as he steps closer to Thorin with a hand raised as though he was going to strike the dwarf. Thorin doesn't flinch at the movement though, as no matter how hard Alfrid tried, the man was never going to be intimidating to him.

"I am in peak physical shape!" The master states as Alfrid stops himself from actually hitting the dwarf, almost angered he didn't get a response from Thorin.

"He is in amazing shape!" Alfrid states as he steps back beside his master. "The best shape!"

"Round is a shape" Thorin retorts as he stares at the two men with disbelief. And it was easy to tell that despite the fact that the guards all worked for The master, they were on Thorin's side of the argument as none of them even tried to defend the master or step in to quiet Thorin. It also didn't help that they were all tasked with carrying the masters things. Each pretty much carrying some sort of large bag on their back filled with supplies such as blankets, food and drink.

"Enough!" The master yells in anger as he gets in Thorin's face, grabbing the dwarf by the shirt collar and lifting him slightly off the ground. "If you want to keep that tongue of yours I recommend keeping your mouth shut!"

The master than lets go of Thorin with a rough shove, causing him to stumble back towards the mountain.

"Well, start climbing!" The master then orders Thorin as he takes a step closer.

Thorin turns his head to the master with an arched brow. He holds up his bound hands and just gives him a stare as he hopes that the master can see that the stairs before them aren't exactly your average steps. Some more step than others, some that acted more like a ladder that required the use of hands for climbing. As the master looks back at him dumbfounded, Thorin finally speaks.

"It is not physically possible to climb to the top without the use of my hands" he states flatly, finally just spelling it out to the master.

"Lies!" Alfrid exclaims. "He just wants you to unbind his hands so he can run away"

"I do not require the use of my hands to run away" Thorin huffs back, the dwarf already deciding not to try running again. At least not for a little bit. '

The master lets out a huff as he is smart enough to see that the climb would not be possible without hands. "Fine, remove the cuffs" he commands to one of the guards. "But get me some rope!"

As ordered, one of the guards approaches Thorin. He takes a hold of the Dwarfs wrists as he inserts the large silver key and unlocks the cuffs. As they're removed, Thorin gently rubs his wrists as he flexes his fingers. It almost feeling like forever since he had his wrists free from bonds. But just as quick as the cuffs were removed, another guard approaches with the rope.

The guard slips an end of the rope around Thorin's waist, pulling around to his back as he ties it into a tight knot. Thorin lets out a frustrated groan as he's tied like a dog on a leash before finally just approaching the first set of steps. Then hands the rope to the master, who in turn, passes it to Alfrid.

"You take him" the master states as Alfrid reluctantly takes the other end of the rope. Not wanting to risk Thorin tugging the rope from his hands, Alfrid proceeds to tie his end of the rope around his wrist. At least that way Thorin wouldn't be able to get away. Though in Thorin's mind, if he were to leap from the wall part way up, he would take Alfrid out with him. Probably live too if he used the servant as a landing pad.

---------------

The climb itself was the hardest part. It was endless stairs, ladders and jumping from stone to stone. A feat that was fine for an active dwarf such as Thorin, and the guards but when it came to the master and Alfrid? They were stopping every few feet to numerous excuses made to hide the fact that both men were exhausted. Things like "the rope around Thorin is coming lose" or "the other guards look like they could use a break". All in all, what should have been a few hours, took the group until sunset to reach the top.

And while the Master and Alfrid had taken the moment to sit, Thorin lets out a small sigh of relief. He remembered the map stated that the last light of Durin's day would reveal the door. But as the sun had already started to set, it seemed as though they had arrived too late. While he was disappointed that he would not find the door, he was glad to know that these greedy men would not find it either. And he knew that as soon as the master found out about the detail about the light, he would not be too pleased, but that was a wrath that Thorin would gladly deal with.

The master lets out a huffed breath as he leans against the stone wall. "Alright Dwarf, where is it?" he chokes out as he tries to catch his breath.

"I don't know" Thorin replies truthfully as he himself looks along the mountain side.

As he speaks, Alfrid grips the rope around his wrist and tugs it aggressively towards himself. "Answer the master!"

The rope around his waist tightens as Thorin stumbles towards Alfrid. In fact, Thorin purposely allows his body to stumble near the cliffs edge as a means to mess with Alfrid. His foot steps slightly over the ledge, kicking a bunch of rocks off. He allows his weight to pull back against Alfrid before stabilizing himself.

Alfrid's body tenses as he realizes how close Thorin was, or appeared to be, to going over the edge and the fact that they were tethered together, meant that he would have gone over too. Quickly, he yanks Thorin back towards him, closer to the mountain wall.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" Alfrid exclaims as Thorin allows his body to slam into Alfrid, pinning the servant to the wall with a smirk on his face.

"I'd say you're trying to kill me" Thorin replies as two sets of hands grab a hold of his shoulders, pulling the dwarf away from Alfrid.

Alfrid pouts angerly as he quickly unties his wrist, not wanting to make another mistake like that. And as he does that, the handcuffs are placed back on Thorin's wrists and the rope tether removed as they had clearly reached the end of the staircase.

"Enough games" The master states with anger in his voice. "Where is the door!"

"I already told you, I don't know" Thorin replies.

Furious with the tone from the dwarf king, The master takes a hold of Thorin's tunic collar and shoves him against the mountain. He presses Thorin firmly against the rocks as he lets out an low growl as he speaks.

"Where. Is. It!"

Thorin flinches slightly as he's slammed against the wall but manages to keep himself calm.

"We missed it" he says with a small smirk on his lips. "We had until the last light of Durin's day"

"I don't know what Durin's day is, nor do I care" The master snaps back, lifting Thorin slightly off the ground as he's anger starts to grow. "Tell me where the door is-"

As he speaks, a light starts to glow directly behind Thorin's back. The light of the moon in the sky above shining down on the mountain and revealing what Thorin had thought to be lost. The master roughly shoves Thorin to the side as he takes a step back with wide eyes. He lets out a single laugh of joy as he gazes upon the door into the mountain. The door to unimaginable riches.

Thorin lands on the ground with a thud as he sees what was behind him. The dwarf conflicted with feelings of happiness that he had finally found the way into his home, and dread that the door had revealed itself to the one man he didn't want anywhere near the mountain. He watches as the master removes the key from his breast pocket. His eyes widened as he pulls himself to his feet. Thorin lunges at the key in the masters hand, snatching it into his own hands. There was no way in hell he was going to allow this man to take away his birthright.

Thorin clasps the key in his hands as he holds it close to him. He stands with his back to the wall as he glares at the group of men standing before him.

The master laughs as he stares down at Thorin.

"I'm going to need that" he says as he holds out his hand, expecting the dwarf to hand over the key.

Thorin stares at the masters hand before looking back up at the man in the eyes. Holding the key tighter, Thorin takes a small step backwards.

"Don't make me use force, because you know I will" The master adds as Thorin refuses to listen.

Thorin completely backs himself into the wall, unable to move any further. His only options now being to hand it over or throw it over the edge, and as much as it pained him, option two was looking like the better one of the two. Slowly, Thorin takes in a deep breath as he takes a small step to the side, easing towards the edge.

"What are you doing?"

Thorin holds out his hands as he approaches the ledge. Unfortunately as he goes to move, one of the guards tackles Thorin back against the mountainside, grasping the dwarfs wrists as he tries to pry the key from his hands.

"No!" Thorin stresses as he tries to keep his hands closed around the key. "I won't let you...."

The guard finally manages to pry the key from Thorin's hands. With one hand placed upon Thorin's shoulder to hold him close, the guard holds the key out to the master. The master smiles as he takes a step forward, taking the key.

"Thank you" he says as he shoots a glare at Thorin for even considering throwing away the key.

Thorin's heart starts to sink as he watches the master approach the door. The man completely taking away what was rightfully his as he inserts the key, opening the door. As the door itself opens, Thorin lets out another outraged yell as he shoves the guard off of him. He charges towards the door, narrowly getting himself into the doorway before the master could enter. His eyes practically shooting daggers at the master as he stops in his step.

"Alfrid..." The master says calmly as he looks at the stubborn dwarf in front of him.

"As you wish!" Alfrid steps between Thorin and the master. He lifts his foot and thrusts it into Thorin's chest, giving him a firm shove. Thorin stumbles backwards into the mountain as the master and his men casually follow in behind.

"You have no right to be in here!" Thorin scowls as they enter.

"And yet, here we are" The master replies as he approaches Thorin, patting the dwarf king on the cheek. And as Thorin motions to headbutt the master, he is grabbed from behind by the same guard that had taken the key from him.

"It is pretty late" The master says casually as Thorin is dragged away by the guard. "Lets find a place to rest for a bit"

Chapter Text

"Did you really think you could run away?" Hunter questions as he stands before Fili.

The dwarf prince cowers on the floor, back in the living room of the hunter estate. The fire burning brightly in the fireplace behind hunter. Beside him, Jessie, sitting with her legs crossed as she holds one of her many dolls in her arms.

"I was so worried about you, Bingo!" she says as she hugs the doll tightly in her arms. "I don't like it when you run off like that!"

"I-i'm sorry...." Fili chokes out as he starts to tremble. His eyes starting to water as he finds himself paralyzed with fear. "I won't do it again-I promise, I won't run"

"You will be sorry" Hunter states in a firm voice as he reaches down, taking a fist full of Fili's hair, yanking the dwarf up.

------------------

Fili lets out a loud scream as he pushes himself back and out of his bed. He falls and lands on the floor with a loud thud as he continues to push his body away from the bed. "GET AWAY!" he yells out as his heart races. His body just overwhelmed with fear as he breaks out into a sweat.

The bedroom door swings open as Rigby steps in, but before Rigby could say or do anything, Kili shoves himself past the man. He practically throws himself onto the floor beside his brother as he cups Fili's face in his hands.

"Fili" he says in a worried tone. "Fili, I'm here. I'm here!"

Kili had only left the room for a couple hours. The younger dwarf unable to sleep and not wanting to disturb his brother as he was sleeping peacefully when he had first gotten up. Even if this panic attack wasn't his fault, Kili couldn't help but feel guilty for purposely leaving his brother alone. Part of him feeling as though if he hadn't have left, Fili would still be sound asleep and getting the rest he needed.

Fili's face was pale with a cold sweat dripping from his brow. His heart racing in his chest as he continued to panic, his empty eyes staring through Kili. The two brothers had been through so much together. They overcame dangers and obstacles together. But this was the first time Kili had ever seen his brother like this. The first time he had seen his brother experience true terror to the point that he himself didn't know how to help. It was a feeling that Kili absolutely hated.

"Fili, no ones going to hurt you" Kili continues as he tries his best to calm his brother down. "It's going to be ok"

As Kili talks, Fili's fast breath starts to slow. The nightmare slowly starting to subside as his brother returns him to reality. Fili's blank stare slowly disappears as he finally sees his baby brother there before him.

"Kili" he says as he realizes nothing he saw was real. His eyes immediately forming tears as he leans himself forward, wrapping his arms around his younger brother.

Naturally, Kili returns the hug, holding his brother tightly as he comforts him. Kili lets out a small sigh as his brother rests his head on his shoulder, his hand gently rubbing his brothers back in a small circular motion. Usually it was the other way around. Fili comforting his younger brother. It had always been that way ever since they were little and Kili honestly thought it was always going to be that way. Not that he didn't want to be there for his brother, he just wasn't as prepared.

Oin enters into the room, stopping beside Rigby with his arms crossed. Both of them really unsure as to what they could do to help with this situation. For now all they had were herbal teas and other forms of relaxants to help the dwarf but that was far from a permanent fix.

"Are you sure you want to wait around here?" Rigby asks the older dwarf, knowing that they were hoping to catch up with their friends in just a day or two.

"Aye" Oin replies with a nod of the head. "I'm sure. My duty has always been with the ill."

----------------------------------

Fili, Kili, Oin, Ori and Rigby sit in the kitchen at the table. Each with a plate filled with food sitting in front of them. Each of them silent as they ate. None of them really sure what to say as they didn't want to bring up the incident from just a few hours earlier. None of them wanting to mention the idea of going after Thorin with the others as it was obvious that Fili was not mentally ready for it.

Fili stares at the potato sitting on his plate as he pokes at it with his fork. He lets out a deep sigh as he finally stabs the utensil into it.

"Just go without me" Fili suddenly blurts out, almost sounding like he was annoyed or angry.

"Fili, no" Kili replies without even taking the words into consideration. "We're not going anywhere till you're feeling better"

"I'm with Kili on this one" Ori says, chiming in on the matter. Sure the younger dwarf was eager to get back out there, but he didn't want to up and leave his friend behind when he was in need. They had all agreed they would go together and he was going to stick with that promise. "Even if it takes a year, I'm not going anywhere!"

"Aye" Oin adds. "We will stay as long as it takes"

As they speak, Fili's eyes gaze down at his plate. He grits his teeth together as he pushes his plate away from himself. He stands from his chair, his feet healed enough to support him for moments at a time. The pain thankfully numbed by some elixirs Rigby and Oin had mixed specially for the dwarf prince. "Just go, I don't want to hold you all back anymore" he snaps before leaving the table and exiting the kitchen.

"Fili" Kili calls out as he himself also jumps up from his chair, following his brother as he tries to make a run for it. And as Fili was about to head down the stairs to the lower level of the home, Kili reaches out and takes his brother by the wrist. "Fili, we are not going anywhere without you" he states firmly as he holds his brother by the wrist.

As he's grabbed, Fili pulls his wrist free from Kili. He turns to face his brother, shaking his head with a disapproving frown on his face. "No. Thorin needs you more than I do"

"Thorin will be fine" Kili replies firmly, knowing that he was a strong dwarf who could overcome anything. "Besides, if it were me in your place, I know you would not go anywhere!"

Fili goes silent when Kili speaks. He wasn't wrong. There was no way he would ever leave Kili behind if their places were switched. Nothing but death would keep him from his brothers side.

"You know I'm right!" Kili stresses. "I don't care if we're here for years. I leave when you're ready, understand?"