Chapter 2

Thorin son of Thrain was happy. Surrounded by the boisterous noise of his friends and family while the ale seemed endless, how could he not be? This was his paradise and he only ever realized that right before it was nearly taken from him.

Smaug, as horrible as any memory of him is, made him realize just how lucky he is to be an heir in the Line of Durin. Though the responsibilities are not always what most would call entertaining (perhaps a lesson on how to better relations with elves from Balin, for example), Thorin found happiness in each task because it meant he was alive and the Line of Durin, of his Grandfather, was still strong.

The road to recovering Erebor had been long and difficult. The first job had been to build more tombs for those they lost to dragon fire. Thorin's mother, Lis, had been among the dead. She had died protecting her children and Thorin made sure to think of her at some point everyday, be it her smile or her hair or her voice. Thrain had been devastated by his wife's death, but had stayed strong for his children and his people.

After the grief had become bearable (though it did not lessen), Erebor began to rebuild to her full glory. The gates had been expanded and replaced and caravan routes for the Men of Esgaroth had been carved. Once the kingdom and the city were prosperous once again, news of the Mad King's redemption spread all over. Thror's return was perhaps the greatest result to come from dragon fire. He ruled for another hundred years before he relinquished his throne to his son with well wishes and not a hint of madness in sight. It was a bright memory in a sea of dark ones.

To his left, Gloin son of Groin began his usual spout about the beauty of his wife.

"Oh Kimli, how your hair shines like mithril and your eyes sparkle like emeralds. Your beauty surpasses the stones of starlight and your laugh is sweeter than the tinkling of spilled gold. How could I ever-", he was interrupted when brother poured ale into his ear horn and sprayed it into Gloin's besotted face. The red dwarf spluttered and choked on the ale and his eyes were narrowed to slits. Oin erupted into raucous laughter and was followed by the rest of the dwarrows at the table.

"Oi, you deaf old bat. I ought to ring that horn of yours around your neck and pull the hairs from your nose," Gloin growled as he patted his face dry. Oin simply pretended not to hear him and continued to laugh at his brother's rather impressive impression of a drowned rat.

Thorin laughed along with his cousins' antics and sipped his own ale. They did not have these meals every night, but it was a near thing. The dwarrows of Erebor looked for any reason to celebrate and when they did, the noise from the halls could be heard outside the gate.

Tonight's celebration was because of caravans arriving from the Blue Mountains safely and without incident. Many families had been reunited, including his sister Dis and her husband. He had been a part of the escort for the Blue Mountains and had been away for nearly a year and half. Their reunion had been a happy one. Dis, stoic and stubborn Dis, had run into the arms of her husband as if she were a young child again. Nili had swung her around with a booming laugh and a pepper of kisses to her face. Many dwarrows looked scandalized at such displays of affection, but before Thorin could send his infamous glare their way, Fili and Kili had nearly tackled their father to the ground.

The young princes were barely taller than their father's hip, but they scaled him like a rock face. The laughter of Nili and Dis could be heard throughout the Mountain and Thorin could not stop the smile from creeping onto his face.

"Well where's my hug Nili? I thought we were closer than that," a teasing voice from behind Thorin said. Thorin groaned.

"Frerin, leave the poor man alone and let him reunite with his family in peace," Thorin said to his grinning golden haired brother. He probably should have expected the answer he got in return.

"You know I can't do that Thorin. I have missed my dear brother-in-law far too much," he said while proceeding to launch himself at the oblivious family before Thorin could catch him. Poor Nili fell to the ground under the weight of Dis, Fili, Kili, and Frerin, and they all fell to the ground in a heap. Thorin winced.

"Frerin, if you don't get you fat hairy arse off of my family, I am going to cut the bollocks off of you, you disgrace of a bearded dwarf!", Dis screamed at her brother, throwing him off with great strength. Nili tried in vain to cover his young sons ears. Frerin just laughed and began helping them all to their feet. He was rewarded by a steel toed boot to the foot by Dis.

"I thought I heard my lovely Dis's voice," Thrain said, emerging from the throne room and into the main hall. He would have looked intimidating in the traditional royal attire were it not for the goofy grin only reserved for his family on his face. He clapped Nili on the shoulder and butted their heads together before sweeping his grandchildren off the ground and into the air, much to their delight. Thorin finally made his way over to his family. He greeted Nili by tapping his forehead with the younger dwarf's, ruffling his nephew's hair, and flicking Frerin in the ear.

"Well, I think this calls for a feast! What better way to celebrate my son-in-law's long awaited homecoming?" Thrain declared with a laugh as he tossed Kili once more and made his way to the dining halls with a dwarfling under each arm. Dis rolled her eyes, but looked pleased from her place in her husband's arms. It pleased Thorin to see her happy and not for the first time did he crave it.

Thorin had never found the time to marry. After the dragon attack, the duty to his people came first and after Dis had heirs, there was no need to marry to secure the line. Thorin had always wanted to marry for love like his parents, and now his sister, had, but he was starting to believe he would never get the chance.

He did not let these thoughts turn his good mood somber, though, and shook out of them just in time to catch the tail end of a song that a dwarf with a funny hat from the Blue Mountains had engaged everyone in. When the song was over, the every dwarf in the hall cheered and gulped down the last of their ale, resulting in another cheer. Thorin looked upon the scene with fondness.

Thrain sat at the head of the table, looking at his people with great mirth. This is what Thror had always intended for his people and Thorin knew Thrain was beyond proud to see dwarrow full of such cheer. Thorin was quite proud himself.

Thorin was so focused on the merriment around him that he did not notice a figure creeping from the shadows of the dining hall. The figure, Nori, Spymaster of Erebor, made his way without detection to the king's chair. Thrain did not startle when there was suddenly a presence at his ear, but his smile gave way to a frown. Thorin, having stopped watching his father, did not notice.

"Your Majesty, there seems to be a visitor asking to see you…and only you. He stands in the shadows of the gates, hooded and cloaked, holding a package and claiming to be a wizard." The Spymaster's mouth did not even appear to be moving as he relayed the information. It did not matter. Thrain could hear everything.

"A wizard you say? Did he just so happen to call himself Gandalf the Grey?," the king asked tersely. The Spymaster's only answer was a quirk of his lips. Thrain's jaw clenched.

"Did he say what he wanted with me?," Thrain asked lowly. The Spymaster made a noise that told Thrain all he needed to know.

"Do not let him in. I will meet him at the gate and speak to him there. I do not trust him in my Mountain just yet." Nori nodded and blended back into the shadows from which he came. Thrain stood and clanged on his glass.

"Dwarrow of Erebor and visitors of the Blue Mountains, I would like to propose a toast of good will to our visitors and the visitors for years to come. May the ale never cease and Erebor never fall!," Thrain exclaimed with feigned gusto as he downed his tankard. The dwarrow in the hall cheered and did the same. Thorin, confused at his father's obvious intent to leave the festivities, drank his and began to walk towards the king of Erebor.

"Adad, what is wrong?," Thorin asked at the look of his father's obvious irritaion. Thrain just huffed and made a motion for Thorin to follow him.

"That blasted wizard has returned! As if he didn't cause enough problems with your grandfather when he was ill, giving us hope and then taking it away. Perhaps I should be more clear when I bid him good riddance this time!," Thrain ranted as he stormed towards the front gates. Thorin had little trouble matching his strides.

"The wizard? As in Gandalf the Grey?," Thorin asked bewildered.

"Aye, my boy. That's the one."

Thrain signaled for the guards to open the gates and stood as the crisp smell of night and cold air filled the front hall.

There, standing as if he were simply gazing at the stars on a warm summer night instead of about to converse with the great king of Erebor, stood Gandalf the Grey smoking a pipe. He was completely unchanged since Thorin last saw him and he blew a perfect ship of smoke before smiling as if he were greeting friends. Cradled awkwardly in his arms was a bundle of…something.

"Ah, Thrain son Thror, King Under the Mountain! How wonderful it is to see you in such good health. I say, I was perhaps wondering if you would be interested in sharing in an adventure?"

AN: So if it's not obvious already, this is my first story. The idea for it has been jumping through my brain for a while now (plot bunny reference) and I have finally worked up the nerve to write it. I don't think many people will be able to guess where exactly this story is going at this point, but it will become somewhat clear soon. I don't think its something anyone has done before. Review if you want, but it will not affect the speed at which I update. Enjoy!

Dagmaris