Disclaimer - I do not own the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings nor any of Tolkien's characters.

Prologue: Banished From Home

Iona Stonesmith stood before the court shivering as the cold air filled the room. Behind her sat the common dwarves who looked at her with mild disgust. She had no one to support her, not even her family who have chosen to stay away from the Royal Courtroom for their shame made it hard for them to even look at her. Iona was alone.

In her arms, a bundle that's soundly asleep, oblivious to the proceedings going on. The bundle is a two week old baby girl, the source of Iona's despair and current position. Though the baby girl is innocent, the crime which brought about her existence is shocking in the eyes of Dwarfish society. Ten months earlier, Iona had a dalliance with an Elven noble and, when she discovered that she was with child; she fled to the Greenwood to tell him in naive hope that he will take her for his wife. He turned her away and the Elven king Thranduil forbade her and her future child from ever entering his kingdom. Vowing to have them executed. And so, with great sorrow she returned to the Blue mountains to face her parent's wrath. She didn't tell them she was expecting a child, and elven child until she was eight months pregnant.

Unable to hide her condition, she broke down in tears before her parents and told them the truth. Her father was too furious to utter a single word, after drinking half a bottle of whiskey to help with his shock. Then he summoned the guards at his wife's behest. Iona was dragged away from the family home and thrown into the dungeons, charged with Fraternization and Treason. Iona gave birth two weeks early, alone in the dark, grimy dungeon. The only visit she had was from a guardsman who informed her that she had been found guilty and will appear before the King who will pass the sentence, no doubt a death sentence.

Now she stood before the court, baby in her arms. Staring up to King Thrain who sat on the throne ready to pass judgement. Beside him sat his son, a young prince dressed in royal blue, with jet black hair and a beard that is cut short in reverence to the dwarves who died when Smaug the dragon took Erebor. Iona cringed internally from the disgusted look he cast upon her.

'Lady Iona Stonesmith, come forward.' Thrain ordered, his heavy voice echoed around the room. She took a few, timid steps towards the throne and bowed her head before the king in an attempt to hide her shame.

'You have been found guilty by the court of Fraternizing with the enemy and of Treason against the crown. Do you acknowledge the verdict?'

Iona swallowed nervously. 'I do.'

The king let out a heavy sigh and looked down to the scroll that he held open in his hands. There were a few jeers and shouts aimed at Iona and her child before silencing when the King held up his hand.

'The gravity of your crime carries normally carries the sentence that reflects its severity. The death sentence is preferable to the citizens of the Blue Mountains who feel unsafe and betrayed by your crime. However, I am taking into account that you have conceived a child as result of your crime that now depends on your care.'

Jeers erupted from the crowds behind her. 'Abomination, should die with her!' someone shouted from the back of the court.

'ORDER.' The King bellowed and silence fell upon the court once more. He then looked at Iona and the tiny bundle, now awake and crying softly, in her arms. 'I cannot sentence a guilty person to death without causing the death of an innocent, that thought rests heavily on my conscience. I believe that the best course of action is not to go down that route, the alternative, though unfavourable by the court is to sentence you to permanent exile. The... Child will at least have a good chance at life and won't suffer as much from your crime.'

The court remained quiet, everyone watched the king with indignation. Iona's mouth felt dry, the baby now quiet except for the odd hiccough.

'Therefore, in the interest of the child. I sentence the mother and the child to permanent exile from the Blue Mountains, and all other Dwarven realms. This sentence will come into immediate effect.'

The jeers erupted as the king and the Prince Thorin left the court through a door to the side of the court. Iona was led out of the court by the guards, leading her through the angry shouts of the crowd. Her baby started wailing hysterically amongst the racket.

When she finally stood at the entrance of the Mountain, she was greeted the Royal Advisor, Balin.

'Lady Stonesmith,' He stood upright, arms behind his back, his grey beard tucked into his belt. 'His majesty gives you a gift of 200 gold coins to help you in your new life, he also orders that you be gone from this place and stresses that should you make any attempt to return, your safety will not be guaranteed.'

He hands her a leather pouch full of coins and turns to leave.

'Sir, please tell his Majesty that I'm grateful for all that he has done and that I wish him good health and a long reign.' Iona called out to Balin. Whether he heard her or not she didn't know because he carried on walking, not stopping reply or even look back.

Then she's released from her shackles and led out of the mountain and into the cold wilderness.

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