Chapter One

Bonding: v. A close friendship that develops between two individuals, often as a result of intense experiences.

The forest of Mirkwood was a dismal place. No light shown through the dense nest of trees. The pathways were riddled with obstacles that none could see. The intense quiet was maddening. It seemed as though there were no animals in the bleakness of the forest, save for a squirrel or two. No bird sang in the day nor owl hooted in the night.

It was by far the worst thing to happen on this ridiculous journey thus far, and that was after the trolls and goblins and orcs! Or at least those were the thoughts of one Bilbo Baggins of Bag End. He trudged behind Bofur ruefully, secretly hoping that most, if not all of the company felt the same way he did.

He looked up at Bofur- or really who he at least thought was his friend in any case, he couldn't actually see a Valar damned thing in this Valar forsaken place. The darkness was suffocating and the silence… that was the worst of it.

Bilbo, over the last few months had come to expect a certain level of noise from his dwarven companions. While they travelled on the road, there were some songs and light conversations between the company. Tales would be told of the great ancestry of the line of Durin and the beauty that was Erebor. Breaks and Supper were of course much louder as the company allowed themselves to relax some. It was during this time that the stories grew grander and were often accompanied by instruments and pipes and ale.

Unfortunately, since they'd fallen into Goblin Town, the company had nothing but the clothes on their backs-and not a pipe among them.

Azog's attack hadn't helped matters. Being chased up a falling tree surrounded by a blazing fire was definitely not on his list of "Fun things to do on an Adventure." And as it happened, neither was watching the company's leader nearly get his face chewed off by a warg.

Bilbo shuddered at the memory. If there had ever been a time when his comfy chair and books-his very non-violent, non-threatening books- would have been welcome, it was then. In his books, there were no dangers that the hero could not conquer and he always finished his quest with much aplomb and always got the girl of his dreams in the end.

The hobbit gripped the dwarf in front of him. It hardly mattered now anyways. He had made a promise at BagEnd. Signed a contract. And as a Baggins always kept his promises.

The thought of his promise brought back the memory of another promise he'd made. One much more recently.

One to Gandalf just a few weeks- had it really been weeks? It seemed like so much longer...

They were on their way to an acquaintance of the wizard's. A skin changer by the name of Beorn. They were to enter the home two by two so as not the man off by the largeness of their group.

As they neared the very large house through the garden, which would have been very nice had the bees not been size of Bilbo's entire body.

Embarrassingly enough, Bilbo found himself burrowing into the folds of Gandalf's robes like a child hiding behind his mother's skirts. But try as he might, he simply could not escape the detection of the large insects who seemed fascinated with the small creature.

"That's quite enough of that Bilbo Baggins ," scolded the wizard gently, waving away a curious worker bee.

"There is a matter of great importance that I must discuss with you before we reach Beorn's house." The utterance of those words stopped the hobbit in his tracks.

"I-is there something the matter?" he asked. "Are we going to be safe here Gandalf? Thorin's injuries still need looked at and he's got these awful lashes on his back-which I'm positive didn't come from the warg but he won't tell me where they came from and Kili's got-"

Gandalf held up a hand to stall the hobbit's rant. "My dear Bilbo," he said. " of course Beorn is safe. I would not lead anywhere besides. That is not what I was referring to."

Bilbo frowned, now completely confused. "Then what...?" he prompted. Gandalf took over immediately.

"I am referring to your upcoming journey through the forest of Mirkwood." Bilbo nodded and they continued walking, though slower than before.

"Yes, what about it?" Bilbo asked as he sidestepped a nest of rabbits. "And what exactly do you mean by 'your'?"

"Precisely what I said. It will be your journey as I will not be accompanying you on it." Bilbo opened his mouth to protest. What would they do without Gandalf? The wizard had literally been the one thing keeping them from certain death! Surely they would fail without him!

"Now don't give me that look, Master Baggins. I've spent far longer than necessary on this venture and there are other matters that I must attend to." Gandalf said sensibly. Bilbo nodded solemnly.

"My concern is for Thorin's health. Not his physical health mind you, but his mental health."

Poor Bilbo was more confused than ever. "His...mental...health...?" he asked slowly. The wizard's tone, when he spoke again, had turned grim.

"Tell me Bilbo," he said. "What do you know of the Arkenstone of Erebor?"

Bilbo blinked. A stone? That was what his friend was so worried about? He thought back to the many books that sat upon his shelves and the tales his mother had told him when he was small. Had any of them mentioned such a stone named the Arkenstone? Considering how very little was written was the Dwarves; it was highly unlikely.

"Absolutely nothing," he confessed with a shrug. The wizard hummed in reply.

"It is an evil thing Bilbo," he said. "Although, it is not the stone itself that brings ill. But the madness that it induces."

"Madness?" asked Bilbo curiously. A stone that could cause madness? Trust the dwarrows to have such a thing. They were coming upon the door now. It, like the rest of the property was massive and Bilbo couldn't help but feel slightly apprehensive about the man on the other side of the great wooden thing.. Surely he must be a giant.

Gandalf nodded. "Yes, The thrice cursed thing was found deep in the mines of Erebor during the reign of Thror; Thorin's grandfather. Thror named it the King's Jewel. He felt that the stone was given by Mahal himself to ensure his reign."

The hobbit was listening so intently to the wizard's story that he nearly ran straight into a mother dog nursing her five young pups. The mother growled in warning when he strayed too close. He made a hasty apology and kept closer to Gandalf.

The wizard appeared not to notice- or had simply ignored the brief distraction- and continued to speak.

"I know not from where it came from but a gift of the gods, it was not. The stone's beauty sparked a madness inside Thror. A frightening madness, Bilbo. It was a goldsickness. Thror became obsessed with amassing more and more wealth. Yet his people, his own subjects, saw none of this wealth. It was a selfish madness, destructive to the core. It was this madness that brought the dragon Smaug to Erebor's gates."

They had arrived at the door. Bilbo could see the outline of a bear etched into the wood.

"So, what you're saying," Bilbo said slowly. "Is that you think that because Thorin is Thror's grandson, he is going to suffer from the same madness if he sees this Arkenstone?"

Gandalf nodded, pleased that the hobbit had caught on so quickly. "Exactly my boy. That is why you will need to keep him from it. Destroy it even, if possible."

Something still wasn't making sense. "Well, that's all fine and good, Gandalf," Bilbo squeaked. What did this insane fool think he could do about it? "But what has it got to do with Mirkwood? Or the fact that you seem to be forsaking us?"

Gandalf sent the hobbit a serious look as he raised his staff to knock on the door.

"No one knows what happened to the Arkenstone, Bilbo," he said. "You must promise me that you will be on the lookout for this stone. And you must promise me... Promise that you will do whatever it takes to keep it from Thorin- for if he should get a hold of such a terrible thing... I fear that the future of Erebor will be lost."

Bilbo swallowed thickly and replied without hesitation. "Of course Gandalf."

Bilbo blinked away the memory when he felt the dwarf in front of him slow down.

"What is it?" he whispered. Though, with the silence of the forest, it felt more like he had shouted the question.

"Lights up ahead, Laddie." Ah, so it was Balin who lead him then. When had that happened?

"Lights?" Bilbo replied. "In this place? Are you certain?"

"Aye, they're small, but they're certainly there." whispered Kili from behind him. And that was who had been clutching at his shirttails. Where was his brother at?

Suddenly, the weight of the dwarves surrounding him disappeared completely. The small hobbit was left behind as his comrades raced away from the path.

"Wait!" Bilbo called after them. "We're not supposed to leave the path..." The loud growling in his stomach stopped him. He sighed. He was hungry. They all were. The food that Beorn had given them had long since run out, and this cursed forest had offered nothing in the way of game, but for a small black squirrel that had smelled horribly when they'd tried to roast it.

How could he blame his friends for attempting to find even a little bit of food? Perhaps who ever had put out those lights would let them beg? So what if it wasn't the most dignified of things? If it got them food, it was good enough for him.

So he went after them. What else was he supposed to do? Wait in the dark? Not hardly. Besides what could possibly go wrong? They would only be away form the path for a little bit, after all...

Oh bother and confusigate these troublesome dwarves!" muttered Bilbo furiously. "Curse them all to the Valar!"

He fumed as he followed his company of idiots as they were herded into a tight group by the wood elves.

Bilbo, of course, remained hidden; concealed with the help of the magical ring he'd found in the caves beneath the goblin town.

He twisted it carefully on his finger, thanking Yavanna for it's usefulness.

But a fat lot of good it was doing for him now as he watched the elves push and prod his friends along. He winced every time on e of them stumbled, weak as they were from the spider venom.

Those dreadful creatures that had attacked his friends. He was certain that they had been as big as his entire pantry and nastier than Lobelia Sackville-Baggins...no scratch that... there was nothing as nasty as that woman.

Bilbo shuddered to think what would have happened if he had not woken up when he did.

He did a quick head count to see if they elves had indeed captured all thirteen of his dwarves. He spotted Fili first. The young heir was being hidden behind Dwalin, Balin and...was that Gloin... up in front with Kili clutching on to his brother for dear life. Dori had a hold on Ori, who had a hold of Nori. Oin was practically being carried by Bofur. And dear Bifur was shouting angrily in Kudhzul at any elf who dared to touch poor Bombur. The largest dwarf looked practically dead on his feet from the amount of venom that still swam in his veins.

He nodded as he mentally ticked off each dwarf...but wait...

He counted again. And then a third time just to be sure.

Yep. Sure enough, there were only twelve dwarves struggling weakly against their captors. Where in Middle Earth was Thorin?!

Bilbo sighed. Wretched dwarf must have gotten separated during the battle with the spiders...

The hobbit frowned as he tried to remember if the dwarf prince had even been at in the battle in the first place. He thought he had...hadn't he?

Bilbo bit his lip. He remembered opening up every single one of those pods and he could not for the life of him remember if Thorin had been there...

Had he perhaps gotten lost earlier? It was possible. Was he even now wandering the woods, alone, in the dark; searching for his company? Bilbo very nearly turned around at the thought...

He was stopped ,however, by their arrival at the wood elves' palace. Bilbo gasped at it.

The entirety of the palace seemed to be made of wood. The trees bending and twisting to forms archways and columns, and even in the darkness, there was an unearthly glow that seemed to come from the windows and the balconies. The wood elves' palace held a dark beauty that not even Rivendell with its gleaming marble statues and towers could compare to

What sort of power did this elf king commad that he could call such a splendid place his home?

His poor dwarrows too grew quiet as they were led past the huge oaken doorway. Bilbo followed behind silently.

Soft mutters followed them all the way to the throne room. Every step of the way being lit by a strange floating lantern.

As the hobbit followed, he could hear them whispering amongst themselves. The younger ones clutching onto their elders desperately. They were nervous here, he could tell. And frankly he couldn't blame them.

It took a moment but soon Bilbo realized that they were actually going downward.

He watched as more and more elves began to appear- tall stern looking creatures who lined the lined the brightly lit hallway, their faces grim and noble.

The elves had Thorin! Bilbo had heard the king- a pale haired and terribly beautiful elf, tell one of his guards to keep the new prisoners way from the other who sat in the deepest part of the dungeons.

What other dwarf dwarf could they possibly mean? At least that's what Bilbo thought as he raced through the dark and cold dungeons.

He still wore the ring. In fact, he hadn't actually taken it off all the while they'd been stuck in the palace. And he'd been searching the dungeons equally as long, trying to locate every one of the dwarves.

He located Fili, Kili, and Ori first. Being the youngest of the troupe, they had been put together in one of the bigger and warmer cells. Thranduil, himself had apparently seen to it that they were comfortable and unharmed. They were given plenty of food and blankets and probably would have been quite happy...had they not been sitting the dungeons of their greatest enemies...

They were glad that he was well and unharmed himself. Kili looked like he was about ready to leap through the bars and hug him to death.

Fili asked after Thorin and Ori wanted to know about his own brothers. Bilbo told them all that he knew and promised to continue searching for the others.

Satisfied that at least three of the company were doing relatively well, the would-be burglar hurried on his way.

The others, to his delight, were in much the same condition. Even Bombur, round as he was, seemed to be getting more than enough to eat. And Bofur was in a good enough mood to joke that at least they weren't being served black squirrel.

Now the only only one left to find was their esteemed leader. And he was proving most elusive.

"Well, he must be here somewhere!" Bilbo muttered to himself late one night. "I've been all through these blasted dungeons and not one sign of him" He sat in an empty room that looked like it had once been used for storage. There were empty barrels scattered all around the floor and currently there was a small blanket spread out in the center. This was where the small hobbit had been camping out the last few days. He had to change every few nights to avoid getting caught.

"Oh drat it all, there must be some place I haven't checked yet." he moaned.

"Well, yes actually." came a voice from beind him. Bilbo yelped in surprise, hastily searching for his ring. Why, oh, why had he chosen tonight of all nights to take it off?!

"You might as well leave the silly thing off, I've already seen you."

Bilbo gaped as a young elf stepped out of the shadow of the doorway. Well, at the very least he looked young. Who could really tell with the whole 'immortal' thing.

The elf was tall with silvery yellow hair that fell just to his shoulder blades, a thin lithe body and a smooth thin face, with a fine straight nose and bright blue eyes. He wore fine clothes in deep blues and gold. Bilbo would have guessed that she was some sort of noble- as it was, he was far too busy shrieking internally at being caught.

Before the hobbit could make so much as a single move, the elf bowed deeply. "Legolas Greenleaf," he announced upon standing. He gave him a gentle smile.

"You have nothing to fear from me, Little One." he said. "I have been watching you for some time Master...?"

Somehow remembering his manners, despite the situation, Bilbo jumped up and bowed himself. "Bilbo Baggins of the Shire, Master Elf. A pleasure."

Legolas grinned. "Shire, you say? The land of the Halflings. Is that what you are then? Are you hobbit What on earth are you doing here in wine storage? Are you perhaps with those dwarves that Father's guards found in the wood?"

Bilbo's head was spinning from all the questions.

"Um," he started. "Yes, I am a Hobbit. Um, what do you mean you've been watching me?" Bilbo was suddenly quite nervous. "And what do you mean by Father?"

Legolas' laugh was jovial and Bilbo decided that yes indeed, this one was young. "My father is Thranduil. Kind of this realm."

Bilbo stared at him in abject horror. No , of course he wouldn't have been discovered by a regular elf roaming the halls. He had to be discovered by the king's own son!

"Oh this is just my rotten luck isn't it" he moaned pitifully, falling back to the dirt floor. "Curse those bothersome dwarves for pulling me into this mess. And curse myself for staying!"

Legolas watchedthis display in amusement. "So you really are with them," he said. The young elf came into the room and sat down gracefully beside the hobbit. Bilbo didn't notice, so busy was he, moaning about his own wretched fate.

"By the Valar, yes. And still I am failing them! Oh what shall I do now? Though I suppose that this is one way to keep Thorin from that stone..." he mumbled to himself. "But if I do not know where Thorin is, how can I be sure that he will not find it on his own? Oh how rotten this predicament this is... Might as well feed myself to that cursed dragon for all the good I'm worth."

The hobbit's rant was interrupted by Legolas' hand on his shoulder. "Feeding oneself to a dragon-what ever the circumstances- is a very serious matter."

Bilbo squeaked again, paling and pulling away from the elf prince. He cursed his nervous habit of prattling. He'd said far too much.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Master Elf," he stuttered. "I don't know anything about a dragon or a stone or of any dwarves..." It was a slim chance, and the poor hobbit knew that he was done for when Legolas smiled widely.

"You are an amusing creature, Master Baggins." he laughed. "you may be rest assured that I am no threat to your dwarves," His voice grew conspiratorial and he leaned in close to Bilbo. "In fact, you could very well say that I am here to help you."

That stopped Bilbo dead. He stared at the elf prince with wide disbelieving eyes.

"I beg your pardon?!" he gasped. "Why would you want to help? Your father is Thranduil! I was under the impression that he didn't care for the dwarves of Erebor?"

Legoals scowled when his father's name was mentioned. He crossed his arms in a pout that reminded Bilbo very strongly of certain young dark haired prince. It was oddly endearing and the hobbit softened toward him.

"I am aware of what my father has done," Legolas hissed. "All the more reason that I should offer my assistance now."

Bilbo nodded slowly. The elf seemed sincere in his words, but how was he to know? Thorin had told him of Thranduil's treachery, of the elf-king's betrayal of his people. How was he to know that the son wasn't just like his father? And if there was anything that his hobbit nature had taught him, it was that you couldn't trust strangers.

"Are you perhaps trying to propose an alliance Master Elf?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

Legolas shook his head. "Not, exactly," he said. "Though I do believe that I can offer you some guidance in your quest."

Bilbo huffed, more suspicious than ever. "And who says that we need the guidance of a young elfling? We've done fairly well without it thus far."

Again Legolas laughed. "Yes, of course you are Halfling. That is why you stopped in Rivendell to seek counsel from Lord Elrond."

Bilbo blanched. "How did you know about that?" he asked sternly.

"Lord Elrond sent word of your quest many months ago. Why do you think it was so easy for us to catch you lot in the forest?"

Bilbo stared at the elf in disbelief. "You've been expecting us?" he asked. "And Thranduil's first thought was to toss everyone in his prisons?" The hobbit was seething. Legolas, he was pleased to note, had the decency to look sheepish.

"Yes, Lord Elrond sent word of you when you left his borders so suddenly. As did Master Beorn. They were both concerned of your safety, considering where you would be traveling. And rightly so too. If we hadn't found you when we did, those ghastly vermin would have finished you off without a second thought!

My father knew exactly what Thorin Oakenshield wanted. His hope is that by detaining him and his company, he can get him to see sense. He wanted to get Thorin to see that to attempt to reclaim Erebor while the dragon remains free, is far too dangerous... There is a definite chance that many of you will not come out of this quest alive."

Bilbo was quite sure that he was doing a fair impression of a ghost right now. "I was afraid of that..." he swallowed thickly and steeled what little nerve he had left.

"I can't allow that to happen," he said. "There are very young dwarves in this company- as I'm sure you're aware- and I absolutely cannot allow them to come to any harm! As for the matter of Thorin, I made a promise to him months ago that I would help him reclaim his mountain by any means possible. He is determined to see his home again."

Legolas grinned and held up a hand. "Peace, Master Baggins. As I said, I may have something that can help you."

Bilbo looked at him. "And why should I trust you? For all I know, everything you have told me is a complete lie!"

The elf-prince shrugged. "Trust me or not, my offer still stands."

They sat silently for a minute or two, listening to the muffled sounds of the dungeons. Bilbo wondered where in this place, they were keeping Thorin. He thought of the dwarf king who had come to his smial so many months ago. Who had sacrificed so much for his people to. Who wanted so very badly to give his people back the home that they had lost. Who would go to any lengths to protect those he called his friends. Who was so thoroughly irritating and loyal and brave...

The hobbit thought of all of this, and breathing in slowly, he closed his eyes and made a decision.

"You said that none of us would survive so long as Smaug remains free." Legolas smiled, pleased that the hobbit had caught on so quickly.

"Indeed I did, Master Baggins." he said. Bilbo gave him a sideways glance.

"Then I assume, that you know of a way to make him un-free Master Legolas?" He said this almost casually. Almost. Legolas could hear the barely concealed hope through it. His smile grew wider, white teeth striking in the dim light of the room.

"Clever little hobbit!" he said. "I do happen to know of such a way. Although I have personally not done it." Bilbo gave the elf his full attention. If there was even the slightest chance that he defeat Smaug without his dwarves getting hurt, then by the gods, he was going to take it.

"There is a book in my father's library, carefully hidden from prying eyes, that describes the exact method of binding a dragon."

Bilbo raised an eyebrow at the elf. "Bind a dragon you say?" he asked. He had never heard of such a thing. "How on earth is one supposed to do that?"

Legolas shrugged again. "As far I can tell, it is a spell of sorts. And not a very difficult one at that. If you are agreeable to it, I can bring you the book and you may see for yourself.

The hobbit found himself nodding. "Yes, alright," he said. "Shall I wait here for you then?"

Legolas shook his head. "No, it is too dangerous. I fear that I have been gone too long already; my father will soon be sending guards to look for me." His brow furrowed in thought, his lips pursed to the side.

"I will meet you tomorrow night. In this very room," he said. "Tomorrow I will bring the book." Nodding to himself, he stood and looked down at the hobbit.

"For now, look for your friend. Reassure him that all of his kin are safe.

Bilbo nodded, biting his lip, "You forget, Master Legolas, I haven't slightest idea where he is at in this confounded place!" He was trying not to pout, really he was, but he was tired and hungry and irritable and worried about bothersome dwarf-kings who refused to be found in Elfish Palaces.

Legolas chucked. "Of course, do you recall a corridor that leads to a seemingly empty hallway at the back of the dungeon?"

Bilbo nodded. He knew exactly which one the elf was talking about. It was the scariest looking corridor in the palace with no lights and an eerie feel to it.

"Follow it. Thorin Oakenshield is being held in the only cell at the end." With that, Legolas darted away silently, leaving a mystified hobbit sitting on the cold dirt ground.

After a few minutes of turning the conversation over in his head, Bilbo stood up from his spot. He would trust Legolas for now. And even if this binding spell turned out for nothing, well, then they would be right back where they started.

He nodded to himself as he wiped the dust from his clothing. He supposed it was time to find King Grump and hope that he wasn't worse for wear.

As he walked out of the cellar, quietly slipping his magical ring from his finger, he couldn't help but feel that something big was about to happen. Fate was changing. But whether for good or for bad, Bilbo didn't know...

Legolas slipped easily into his room. It was late, and although like most elves, he required very little sleep; most had retired to rest and relax.

He shut the door behind him and sighed. All around him, the lanterns that lined his walls sprang to life.

He really hadn't meant to speak to the hobbit that had been running around the dungeons. He'd never ahd the chance to meet one of the Shirefolk and the poor creature had just seemed so frustrated and small, he couldn't help but offer his assistance. And speaking of assistance, he made a mental note to sneak some extra food from the kitchens tomorrow. He was almost positive that the halfling had not been getting enough to eat. Not if he was trying to remain hidden.

He flung himself onto his bed and gazed up at the ceiling. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he was missing...

He knew that he was right in helping the dwarves to reclaim their homeland. His family owed them that much at least.

Perhaps it was the spell then. If his father discovered that he had given such a spell away or that he had stolen the book...

The elf-prince frowned at the ceiling. He was past caring about what his father wanted. He'd done enough to the dwarf-king already. Or rather, he hadn't done anything, and that was the problem.

In fact, aside from the young ones, the only reason that the rest of the dwarves were in as good as shape as they were, was due to Legolas' involvement.

There was something dark in his father. Something that hadn't been there before. It was a slow poison that was seeping from the forest and if Legolas wasn't careful, it would destroy everything he knew.

It had started with that cursed dragon. Before that, he had never known his father to turn away help from any soul in need. He had been a gracious and kind ruler, loved by all his subjects.

The Thranduil who ruled now was a shadow of his former self. He was hard hearted and cold; even to his own son.

Legolas couldn't even remember the last time he had seen his father smile. And he missed it. The loss of that smile left a gaping hole in the young prince's heart that nothing could soothe.

He would give anything to have his father back.

Maybe that was why he was helping the dwarves; why he had told the hobbit of the spell. Perhaps it was selfish of him, using them like this, but really would it be a win for them all...wouldn't it?

The dwarves would have their city back and maybe...just maybe, the Greenwood-and his father would be restored in the process.

But what would be the cost of that restoration?

Legolas bit his lip and rolled to his side. He refused to think on it. He was doing the right thing. Binding Smaug was the only sensible solution; no one would get hurt this way.

Everything would turn out just fine..

Bilbo crept slowly through the hallway. It was just where Legolas had said it would be. And it was just as dark and scary as he thought it would be.

This hallway was darker than the others had been. It was almost as suffocating as the darkness of Mirkwood had been. Bilbo shuddered. What a hateful place they had found themselves in this time.

He was finding that he rather disliked this King Thranduil. How cruel would you have to be to put someone in total darkness like this; to cut them off completely from their family and loved ones?

He stopped suddenly. Was that breathing he heard? He squinted in the dark, just barely making out the outline of bars.

He breathed in. "Thorin?" he whispered. Please, let him be here.

He heard a quiet gasp, abnormally loud in the quiet of the dungeon.

"Master Baggins...? Bilbo...it is that you?"

Chapter one/end.