Ch 18: Royal Treatment

The elves lead the shifters to large gates that opened up to the Mirkwood kingdom. Elves in armor stood on every point. Entering the throne room, the girls looked to see an elegant elf with light blonde hair and bright blue eyes sitting upon a horned thrown. Below soldiers held ropes around Crescent as she jumped around. The elves had the shifters take a knee before Thranduil. With a smug smile he held out a hand. "What do you bring me?"

"Skin changers my lord." The elf presented them. "Your son found them shortly after detaining the wolf."

Thranduil hadn't seen shifters in ages; he stepped down from his thrown walking to them. "Why are you in my kingdom?"

"They came with-" The elf said till he was cut off by the king.

"They will answer for themselves. Speak shifters." He said.

"We just needed to pass through. We need to find more food, which is why our sister was chasing the stag." Nova answered him with a lie.

Thranduil laughed, "I know your reason for trespassing. Your three are escorting those filthy Dwarves." He walked over to Crescent. "Why would you care about their beings?" He said going to touch Crescent but pulled back as she snapped at him. "I had heard story of a large wolf killing an elf, after a Warg chase. Do to dwarves crossing the lands, would this be true?"

Nova looked at Luna. "Yes our sister spilled elvish blood, but after I was shot by an arrow from your kin."

"To spill elf blood is punishable by death, and how violent she is, seem my choice is made easy." he said drawing his sword. Nova and Luna both leapt up forming fangs, ears, claws, and piercing eyes. "Ah so you're all a pack, go on attack me." He challenged went over growling and stood by Crescent. "Impressive, seeing how loyal you are to her. I guess throwing you all in cells will be easier the just one" retreating to his thrown. The elves gathered the girls tossing them in separate cells. Luna was put into a high level cell. Nova got put into one located by the falls, and Crescent locked on the low level cell. The elves tossed in the clothing found in the girls pack to the wolf.

Legolas walked past each cell, the girl in each was different. Luna curled into the corner crying as Nova sat planning out an escape in her mind. Reaching the final Legolas stood back as a huge paw reached out the bars. Like a caged animal she tried getting out, banging her head against the metal. "Try all you want, these are eleven steel bars unbreakable." He said walking away hearing from above the dwarves being brought in. Most cells filled with two dwarves each, the girls watched as they passed. "Turieal see the food is given to the calm shifters, they will eat before the beast." He said walking off.

"Did they hurt you?" Luna asked Balin who cell was next to hers.

"No worry, just roughed up a bit is all." He answered.

"These elves are nothing of what Bilbo told me." She said rubbing her sore shoulder. Balin sighed feeling awful such innocence was thrown into such mayhem. "Where is the hobbit? Where is Bilbo?" She asked leaning on the bars.

"He not here, we lost him back in the woods." Balin answered. Luna heart sank hearing the news, the little bunny lost in the evil woods. Everyone watched as Thorin was lead back to his cell moments later. Balin asked if Thorin struck a deal, but Thorin told his answer was he'd rather die in a cell then take the deal of an elf. Thorin told the king he could go defecate on himself and his kin. Few hours later the elves came down carrying bowls of food. Opening the cell doors to gave bowls of lembas bread, green kale leaves, and fresh fruits. Luna pushed the bowl aside not hungry after hearing word of the hobbit. A pompous guard smiled and laughed. "Ungrateful these prisoners are, be happy to get any food." He began walking to Crescent cell.

"Tauriel order her to be fed last." Another said giving Bifur and Bombur their food.

"I know what to do; this beast is nothing but a scared pup. All bark with no bite." He laughed unlocking the door. Crescent backed away from the door, as it opened. "See not scary as she acts." He said leaning down putting the food down, he turned looking at the other elf guard. Turning back Crescent was snarling inches from him; she barked sending him jumping back. Squirming from the cage she latched onto his leg pulling him in. "Help!" He yelled gripping onto the wall. Other elves ran down to help save him, Legolas join hearing the screams. Crescent bit and pulled at his legs, blood and bone being seen. "Help me! Get her off! Pull me!" He cried as the others gripped his upper body. The dwarves watched in terror seeing the wolf tearing the elf, Luna and Nova watched and felt a rage take over themselves. The two began to bang their cells and cheering Crescent.

Legolas ran down seeing she was stepping closer toward the door, "Kick him in!" The elves began to pry his hands from the wall.

"No! You can't!" He yelled in Elvish as he tried holding on. Legolas kicked his figures making him let go, he was dragged into the cell. Legolas closed the door quickly locking it, watching the elf being mewled. His screams echoed through the prison, his skin pulled from his limbs. He cried in pain being eaten alive, Thorin watched from his cell with an evil smile. "These elves turn on their own kin!" He yelled wanting all to know. Crescent looked up at Thorin contact, Legolas saw at looked. "Good Crescent! Kill the filth!" He praised her. Grabbing the elf head in her jaws she crushed it, Legolas stepped back in fear. Sitting up Crescent stared down the elves letting out a howl. Luna and Nova joined in with her turning into wolves. "What will you do now elf?" Thorin laughed taking a seat. Legolas left to speaking with the King.