Thorin's Fate

It was a great shock to everyone. I, of course, knew this and did not trouble myself with the thought of him never being found again. I went back to sleep and recalled where Thorin was. He was in the dungeon of a fair woodland elf king. After Bilbo had stepped into the light, Bilbo was put under a spell. Thorin stepped out after him and he too fell under a spell. The other dwarves cries led to their capturing by the spiders. The woodland elves had captured Thorin and taken him to their dwelling. 

He was taken to a great cave that was home to a woodland elf king. It was on the eastern edge of Mirkwood. The entrance to his estate was huge stone doors and in front of it ran a river. It flowed on and on into grand marshes that were at the feet of the high wooded  lands. Many smaller caves opened out on its perimeter and that great cave was deep underground. It had many passages and broad halls; but they were filled with light and air unlike goblins. It was far more wholesome than any goblin-dwelling and it was neither dangerous or too deep. All subjects of that king lived and hunted in the open wood. They had houses or huts in trees as well as on the ground. They were surrounded by beeches, which were their favorite type of tree. The cave was the king's palace and he dwelt there with his treasure; the cave was also used for a fortress against their enemies.

There he was taken out of the spell and questioned by their king.

' "Why did you and your folk three times try to attack my people at their merrymaking?" asked the king.

"We did not attack them," answered Thorin; "we came to beg, because we were starving."

"Where are your friends now, and what are they doing?"

"I don't know, but I expect starving in the forest."

"What were you doing in the forest?"

"Looking for food and drink, because we were starving."

"But what brought you into the forest at all?" asked the king angrily. At that Thorin shut his mouth and would not say another word.

"Very well!" said the king. "Take him away and keep him safe, until he feels inclined to tell the truth, even if he waits a hundred years." '

Then they bound him again and put him into his cell where he remained until that hour and many after. He was well-fed and he was beginning to feel grateful. Elves are not like goblins; spiders are the only creatures that they show no mercy. Thorin had already begun to wonder about us and if we would be able to save him.