Chapter 16
It took a full day for Harry to emerge from the depths of his slumber. As was often the case, anyone who had slept within a square mile of him awoke with all injuries miraculously healed, but this time, Harry felt far from rejuvenated. As he stirred, the first thing he became acutely aware of was the soreness in his muscles from sleeping on the hard, cold floor of the prison. His body ached, and the familiar pangs of loneliness settled heavily in his chest.
He blinked groggily, trying to shake off the remnants of his dreams, but as his senses began to sharpen, he realized with a slight grimace that he missed Bilbo terribly. The thought of his adoptive father being far away, likely worrying about him, gnawed at Harry. He longed for the warmth of Bilbo’s reassuring presence, the kind words and stories that had always made the world feel a little less daunting.
As he lay there, Harry felt something soft and warm against his head. He glanced up to see a small bunny, its fur a soft shade of grey, blissfully sleeping on his hair. A small smile crept onto his face. He remembered Bilbo's words about animals—they brought comfort in their own way. And the number one rule with animals was clear: if they fell asleep on you, you simply couldn’t move them or wake them up.
So, Harry settled back into his position, resigning himself to the weight of the bunny, feeling an odd sense of peace despite his dire situation.
Meanwhile, in the dim light of their cells, the dwarves were whispering among themselves, their voices low and cautious as they tried to avoid waking the boy they believed to be asleep. From the snippets of conversation he could catch, Harry learned that one of the elven guards had taken Thorin away to negotiate with King Thranduil. The dwarves were anxious, their voices laced with worry about what would happen to Thorin, their leader, and what Thranduil would demand in return for their freedom.
“Do you think he’ll be alright?” Fili’s voice, filled with concern, reached Harry’s ears. “He’s a stubborn one, but I can’t help but worry.”
“Thorin can handle himself,” Kili replied, though there was a tremor in his tone that suggested he didn’t entirely believe his own words. “It’s just… Thranduil isn’t one to be underestimated.”
Harry listened, feeling the weight of their words sink in. He wished he could reassure them, to tell them that everything would be alright. But for now, he remained still, a quiet observer in their midst, his heart heavy with longing and uncertainty.
Harry continued to listen, the gentle rise and fall of the bunny's breathing providing a strange comfort as he tuned into the hushed conversation between the dwarves.
Balin’s voice rose above the others, steady and resolute. “Thorin needs to see reason,” he urged. “If there’s a way to strike a deal with Thranduil that ensures our safety, and Harry’s, then he should take it. We can’t afford to anger the Elven king any further. He holds all the cards right now.”
Kili shifted nervously in his cell. “But what if the deal puts us at a disadvantage? Thranduil isn’t known for his generosity, especially toward dwarves.”
Balin sighed, his voice softer now, almost wistful. “True, but we’re in a precarious position. We need to survive, and if that means swallowing our pride and working with Thranduil, then so be it. Thorin is a proud leader, but he also needs to think of the greater good, especially with Harry in the mix.”
“Harry…” Kili echoed, his voice barely a whisper. Harry's heart swelled with emotion as he listened to the dwarves. Their concern for him, for his well-being, wrapped around him like a comforting blanket. Kili’s soft voice broke through his thoughts again, filled with urgency and concern. “He’s… well, technically he’s Thorin’s soon-to-be step-youngling.”
A smile tugged at Harry’s lips at the thought. He could hardly believe it. The idea of being Thorin’s stepson made him feel lighter, almost giddy. He couldn’t help but think of the awkward moments he had witnessed between Thorin and Bilbo—the way Thorin's usually stoic demeanour softened around Bilbo, and how Bilbo, oblivious to the dwarves’ teasing, simply went about his business, unaware of the softening hearts around him.
“Exactly,” Balin continued, his tone steady and reassuring. “And we’ve already seen how the elves react to him. If Thorin can negotiate something with Thranduil, we need to support him. For Harry’s sake.”
At the mention of his name, warmth flooded Harry’s chest, mixed with guilt. He wished he could reassure the dwarves, to let them know that he would be okay, that he wouldn’t be the cause of any more trouble. It pained him to think that he could disrupt the delicate balance they were trying to maintain with the elves.
“I just hope Thorin doesn’t let his pride get in the way,” Fili added, his voice thick with concern. “He cares for Harry; I know he does, but he can be stubborn. I just wish…”
“Don’t wish,” Balin interjected gently, his voice a calming presence amid the tension. “Hope for the best but be prepared for anything. All we can do is trust that Thorin will do what’s right in the end.”
Harry found solace in Balin’s words, even as uncertainty twisted in his stomach. He knew he had to find a way to contribute, to show that he was more than just a burden. The thought of being a part of this family, of being cherished and loved, was almost overwhelming.
As their conversation drifted back to strategizing and potential deals with Thranduil, Harry's thoughts turned inward. He closed his eyes, trying to centre himself, focusing on the gentle warmth of the bunny resting on his head. It was such a small creature, yet it brought him comfort in a way he hadn’t expected.
He silently wished for a way to make things better, not just for himself, but for everyone he cared about. He wanted to ease Thorin’s burdens and somehow bridge the gap between the dwarves and elves. It was a daunting task, but he felt a flicker of determination spark within him. He would not allow his fears to dictate his actions any longer.
The quiet of the cell enveloped Harry, broken only by the soft murmurs of the dwarves and the gentle breathing of the bunny nestled on his head. The warmth of the small creature brought him comfort, a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. In that moment, he made a silent promise to himself: he would find a way to protect his new family, no matter the cost.
Suddenly, the bunny stirred, its tiny body jolting awake as heavy armoured feet echoed down the stone stairs of the dungeon. Harry slowly sat up, cradling the bunny in his hands, gently patting its soft fur. The creature blinked up at him, its wide eyes reflecting innocence and trust, grounding Harry as he prepared for the inevitable chaos that would ensue.
Just then, the elven guard dragged Thorin down the corridor, his posture defiant even in captivity. The sight of his father-to-be brought a surge of warmth to Harry's chest, but it quickly faded as the guard turned, catching sight of Harry. A look of surprise flashed across her face, and she rushed over, bowing deeply before him.
"Sle… Sleeper!" she stammered, recognition dawning in her eyes. Harry could see the flicker of reverence and disbelief in her gaze, this was someone who had visited Sleepers Forest, who had felt the transformative magic of the Sleeper. She had been healed or helped by him.
Before Harry could respond, she reached out, her hands moving to check him over, the cold touch of her fingertips sending a wave of panic crashing through him. He flinched, his heart racing as he felt the familiar sensation of being scrutinized, of being vulnerable under an unwelcome gaze. Just as he felt the sting of tears prick at his eyes, the guard seemed to sense his distress and quickly withdrew her hands.
“How are you?” she inquired gently, her voice softening as she stepped back, giving him space.
He opened his mouth to answer, but no words came. Instead, he simply nodded, grateful for her concern but yearning for the safety of solitude. With a respectful bow, she turned and left, leaving Harry to the silence of the cell once more.
As the echo of her footsteps faded, Harry sighed heavily, feeling the weight of popularity press down on him. He hated the attention, the way people looked at him as if he were something extraordinary when all he wanted was to blend into the background. Thankfully, the commotion had drawn the attention of the dwarves, and soon their voices filled the space around him, comforting and familiar.
“Harry!” Kili called out, relief flooding his voice. “You’re awake! Thank the stars!”
“Are you alright, lad?” Balin added, his tone laced with genuine concern.
Harry looked at the dwarves, his heart swelling with gratitude. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Just a bit… overwhelmed.”
“I can imagine,” Fili chimed in, his expression filled with sympathy. “You’ve been through so much. We’re here for you, no matter what happens.”
Thorin, still within earshot, grunted as he regained his composure. “We’ll figure this out, Harry. We always do.”
Harry managed a small smile, feeling reassured by their presence. Though they were separated by stone walls, their bond felt stronger than ever. “I just want to be with Bilbo again,” he admitted, his voice trembling slightly.
“We will, Harry,” Kili promised fervently. “We’ll find a way to get out of here together. Just hold on a little longer.”
As the dwarves continued to talk, Harry listened intently, his fears gradually subsiding. He may have felt overwhelmed, but he wasn’t alone. With his new family rallying around him, he felt a glimmer of hope igniting within. He would protect them, and in turn, they would protect him. Together, they would navigate the uncertainties that lay ahead.
Suddenly, Harry felt it—a familiar, dark presence that he had thought was behind him, a weight that pressed against his chest. The horcrux! It pulsed with a connection that drew him forward. His heart raced as he realized what it meant: Bilbo was nearby!
With a surge of energy, he jumped to his feet, holding the bunny tightly against him.
“Bilbo!” he exclaimed, excitement bubbling up inside him. Dwalin, caught off guard by Harry’s sudden movement, turned to him, his expression a mix of confusion and surprise.
“HUH! First the glowing deer, now a bunny. Where did that come from?” Dwalin looked around, bewildered, clearly trying to process the surreal events unfolding before him.
“I… um… made her,” Harry explained, glancing down at the bunny with a mix of affection and pride. “I did it subconsciously… it just happens sometimes.” His eyes darted around, searching for his adoptive father, the feeling of warmth growing stronger as he sensed Bilbo’s presence.
And then, out of the corner of his eye, Harry caught a glimpse of movement. There he was! Bilbo rushed over, a determined look on his face, and relief flooded through Harry. The moment their eyes met, Harry felt a wave of reassurance wash over him.
Thorin, still processing the scene, frowned as he tried to make sense of how Bilbo had managed to appear so suddenly. But when Bilbo caught his gaze, a bright smile broke across his face. It was enough to turn the stoic king’s cheeks a deep shade of red, leaving Thorin momentarily speechless.
“I have a way out,” Bilbo declared, his voice brimming with urgency. “The elves are having a festival, so follow me.” He pulled out a set of keys, their metal glinting in the dim light, and began freeing the dwarves from their cells.
“Where did you get those?” Kili asked, his eyes wide with admiration as Bilbo swiftly unlocked the first cell.
“A little sleight of hand,” Bilbo replied with a cheeky grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I may have borrowed them when I passed the guard earlier.”
Thorin raised an eyebrow, a mix of pride and exasperation on his face. “You and your tricks, Bilbo.”
As each door swung open, cheers erupted among the dwarves, their spirits lifting with each step closer to freedom. Harry felt the weight of fear begin to lift entirely as he watched Bilbo lead the way, his heart swelling with gratitude and love. Bilbo had risked everything for them, and the bond they shared felt stronger than ever.
“Let’s go, everyone!” Bilbo urged, glancing back at the group. “We need to move quickly before anyone realizes we’re gone.”
With renewed determination, they followed Bilbo through the winding corridors, Harry’s bunny securely cradled in his arms. The path ahead was uncertain, but with his family by his side, Harry knew he could face whatever challenges awaited them. Together, they would carve out their destiny in the heart of the elven kingdom.
As Bilbo led the way, he quickly devised a plan to escape from the clutches of the elves. “We need to get to the river!” he urged, his voice barely above a whisper as they hurried through the winding stone corridors. “There’s a way to sneak out, but we’ll need to be quick.”
Harry’s heart raced with anticipation, the presence of Bilbo at his side igniting a spark of bravery within him. They reached a storeroom filled with large, wooden barrels, the kind the elves used to transport goods. “Get inside!” Bilbo instructed, glancing over his shoulder as he began pushing barrels toward the entrance.
“What are we doing?” Dwalin protested, looking sceptically at the barrels.
“Trust me!” Bilbo replied, an excited grin spreading across his face. “We’re going to float down the river!”
With little time to argue, the dwarves clambered into the barrels, Harry squeezing himself into one alongside Kili and Fili. As soon as they were all inside, Bilbo closed the lids, sealing them in.
The moment the barrels hit the water, they began to roll and tumble with the current, the force of the river sending them spinning down the swift rapids. Inside the barrel, Harry clutched the bunny tightly, the chaotic motion making him laugh with glee despite the danger.
“Hold on!” Kili shouted; his voice muffled by the wooden sides of the barrel. They could hear the rush of the water around them, the distant shouts of elves searching for them echoing off the stone walls.
Outside, the elves were in a frenzy, their graceful forms darting along the riverbank. “There they are!” one of them yelled, pointing toward the floating barrels. “Get them!”
Legolas leaped into action, nimbly darting from barrel to barrel, using his agility to land on the wooden sides and firing arrows at their pursuers. “We need to buy them time!” he shouted; his voice full of determination.
As the dwarves floated down the river, the chaos intensified. The barrels bumped against each other, sending them careening in all directions. Fili’s barrel collided with Dwalin’s, resulting in a loud thud and a flurry of exclamations. “Watch it!” Dwalin growled, adjusting himself as he tried to regain balance.
“Sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Fili laughed, unable to suppress his amusement.
Meanwhile, Legolas continued to fend off the elves, his arrows finding their marks with deadly precision. But as the chase escalated, more danger emerged. Orcs emerged from the shadows, ambushing the group at the water’s edge.
“Orcs!” Kili yelled, panic rising in his voice.
“Get ready!” Thorin shouted as he unsheathed his sword. “We fight!”
As the orcs lunged toward them, Harry felt a surge of magic coursing through him. “I can help!” he cried, a mix of fear and adrenaline fuelling his bravery. He reached for the lever that controlled the gate, his small hand trembling as he focused on the metal. “Open!” he commanded, and with a flick of his wrist, the lever gave way, swinging the gate open and allowing more barrels to join the fray.
The dwarves leaped into action, battling the orcs with ferocity. Harry joined the fight, using his magic to create barriers of energy that deflected arrows and knocked the orcs back. “Watch out!” he shouted, casting a protective shield around his friends as they fought.
“Nice work, lad!” Dwalin grunted, slicing through an orc with a powerful swing of his axe.
“Keep it up!” Thorin urged, his own sword flashing in the sunlight as he dispatched an orc that dared to approach Harry.
With Legolas leading the charge, they worked together seamlessly, the dwarves providing brute strength while Harry and Legolas covered them with magic and arrows. The river roared around them, a cacophony of chaos and battle cries, but together they fought like a well-oiled machine.
Finally, they managed to push the last of the orcs back into the depths of the forest. Breathing heavily, the group gathered near the edge of the river, panting but triumphant. “We did it!” Kili exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face.
“Now let’s keep moving before more show up!” Thorin urged, pushing his way back to the barrels.
As they slid back into their makeshift vessels, the rush of the river carried them further away from danger. The adrenaline faded, replaced by laughter and a sense of camaraderie. Harry looked around, feeling an overwhelming sense of belonging with these warriors who had fought for him. They were family, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.
With a final glance back toward the shore, Harry smiled, feeling the warmth of his new family surrounding him. “Let’s go to Lake-town!” he cheered, excitement bubbling up inside him as they floated down the river toward their next adventure.