AN: This will be a very long multi-chapter story. While it will be Thorin-and-Bilbo-centric, other characters such as Fíli, Kíli, Bofur, Tauriel, Legolas, and Thranduil will be featured very heavily. In this story you will find Thorin/Bilbo, Fíli/Kíli and/or Kíli/Tauriel, among others (I don't want to give too much away, but suffice to say some pairings will surprise you, hopefully in a good way).
Named Erewood, this small town clinging to the side of the mountain is one easily overlooked, but just as easily appreciated. It's difficult to get to - nearly everyone who lives here owns a four-wheel-drive to navigate the winding roads that often become dangerous during the winter, which seems to last the majority of the year. The rest of the year is heavy with rain, punctuated by the occasional sunny day. On these rare days of sunshine, it's easiest to see why one would want to live here. The clear mountain air seems to shimmer against the vast blue sky, broken up at the horizon by mountain peaks and bristles of pine trees. But when this town looks the most heavenly is the night after one of these sunny days, when the galaxy looks as if it's been spilled across the sky and the moon is big and bright.
Ethical lumberjacks comprise most of the work force here, only taking what they need when they need it, and selling to local craftsmen. Outside nearly every home and storefront is a weathered, rain-soaked woodcarving of a bear with a fish in its jaws or draped over a paw. All businesses are locally owned; the nearest Target is two towns over, with more than one forest separating them.
As small as it is, there is an East Side and a West Side, each comprised almost entirely of two deep-rooted families. Almost as deep rooted as their family trees is their family rivalry. Disgustingly rich and even more stubborn, these two families go to great lengths to avoid interaction, despite the very small community. Two opposing family members standing in chilling silence, refusing to move aside for the other, is not an uncommon site at the farmers' market on a Saturday morning. Those not belonging to either family make a joke of it behind their backs. The younger generations of both families have quite forgotten what started the original feud, but have been instructed not to interact with classmates who have certain surnames.
A passing tourist, perhaps staying at one of the numerous bed-and-breakfasts, would not suspect the underlying tension that came with the charm of the log cabins on rain-slicked roads, the yards bejeweled with suncatchers and pinwheels. They leave before the enchantment of the beautifully preserved wildlife and quirky shops wear off, and hopefully before they witness two sophisticatedly-dressed adults staring each other down like the wild animals they share a backyard with.
On the East side, high upon the mountain, lives the Durin family. Following the Great Depression, Thrôr Durin founded a financial investment company called Arkenstone Financial, which many townsfolk attribute to the steady growth of their economy to this day, two generations later. Thorin Oakenshield-Durin and his kin are known for frequenting the local pubs (and singing loudly once they've been there more than a half hour) and looking like the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the words "mountain men."
On the West Side, further down the slope of the mountain and deeper into the forest, lives the Greenwood family. Fewer in number than the Durins but no less powerful, they're responsible for the Oropherion Lumber Company, which is known for its eco-friendly policies and good employee benefits. Each member of this family is colder and finer-dressed than the last.
Nestled between the two opposing sides of the town are the various other, less influential families of Erewood. Most choose not to take sides, or are in fact too afraid, preferring to entertain themselves with the drama instead of getting involved.
One might argue that the arrival of Mr. Baggins from Ann Arbor, Michigan was what changed everything ("Did you hear he's planning to stay? He's not just a tourist. Yes, he bought that little house between the East and West Side! Poor guy doesn't know what's coming to him."), but I will let you decide that for yourself.
