The next day, Bilbo and the girls were up and ready when they were taken to Lady Dí's quarters for breakfast. In Verbena's mind, it would be a girly affair: the king's sister probably was a large matron with delicate manners who most assuredly would disapprove of Bena's carefree attitude and fall in love with Lobelia's etiquette and propriety.

She was surprised when they came in a cozy room and there were shouts of "Bilbo!" and "Mr. Boggins!" as two young dwarves almost smothered Uncle in fierce hugs.

"We are so happy to see you!"

"You look just the same, don't hobbits age as much as humans? You should look old and washed-out!"

Bilbo said, "I am happy to see you too, boys. Now behave as I introduce you to my lovely cousin Lobelia, Thorin's intended, and the little lady who is my pride and joy, Verbena. Girls, these are the princes of Erebor: Fíli, the crown prince, and his brother Kíli."

"At your service," greeted the dwarves, bowing deeply, and the girls curtsied.

Fíli, the fair one, with braids in the moustache, said, "And let us present the rock that holds together the Durin family: our mother Dís."

The Lady Dís was a gorgeous woman whose age would be hard to place. She had piercing blue eyes, black hair and simple, yet elegant robes. The two hobbit ladies curtsied.

"So this is the famous Master Baggins that my brother and my sons keep talking about," she said, friendly. "Welcome to Erebor."

"Bilbo Baggins, at your service, milady. These are my cousins Lobelia and Verbena."

"They are so lovely. My brother is lucky to marry such a beauty."

Verbena looked at Lobelia, whose rosy cheeks were scarlet, and agreed with the lady: her cousin was indeed lovely and beautiful. With her dirt-blond hair and brown eyes, Verbena was of average beauty. No king would ever look at her.

They were seated, Bilbo between Lobelia and Verbena, who was beside prince Kíli. His brother Fíli was at his mother's side. The lady offered, "I apologize for my brother's absence. He had to take care of the affairs of the state before dawn."

Bilbo guaranteed, "I quite understand. He has been king for almost twenty years. And this place looks amazing!"

Kíli recalled, "The last time you saw Erebor it was still wrecked by Smaug. "

"And I saw Dale, too," said Bilbo. "The whole north seems to prosper."

Fíli agreed, "Much has changed since you went to the Shire, Master Baggins."

"And all for the best, dear boy," said Bilbo. "I am so glad to see you again."

Lady Dís turned to Lobelia, "And you, my dear, how do you find Erebor?"

"It is lovely, Madam. But I'd love to know more of it."

The Lady Dís guaranteed, "I will be delighted to take you on a tour of Erebor, a ladies gathering which will include a trip to the market, of course."

Bena was excited to see what the mountain had to offer, but Lobelia answered politely, "This is very gentle of you, milady."

"Oh, it's the least I can do, considering it should be my brother giving you the tour, that big oaf."

Kíli asked — and Bena could have sworn she had never seen puppier eyes, "Can we go too, Mother?"

"Of course, dear," she answered in dulcet tones. "That is, of course, once Dwalin clears both of you after combat practice."

Bena's eyes widened. "You have to practice combat? But uncle said you fought three mountain trolls!..."

"A good warrior always keeps in shape, Mistress Baggins," said Fíli, the fair-headed one. "Even seasoned ones, like my uncle."

Lobelia asked, amazed, "The king practices combat?"

Lady Dís confirmed, "My brother and I practice every day before breakfast. You are welcome to join in, or just watch."

Uncle Bilbo said, "I might drop by, thank you. Will you two be practicing, too?"

Dís chuckled softly, "These two? They won't practice this early unless they are in a dire situation."

It was enough to make both dwarves flush with embarrassment. Verbena suppressed a smirk, before asking, "Is that part of your culture? Combat? Or is it required of you because you are royalty?"

The Lady Dís looked at Verbena with renewed interest, "That is very perceptive of you. Actually, you are correct in both assumptions. It is part of our culture and, as royalty, we are required to honor dwarven traditions. How did you figure it?"

Bena blushed and answered, "I just observed so many of your people carrying weapons, and wondered why that would be so, since you couldn't possibly expect to be attacked inside your mountain."

Dís lifted an eyebrow and observed, "Very clever, young lady. You do justice to your uncle's reputation."

Bena beamed up to be deemed worthy of her uncle.

After breakfast, the lady Dís and the girls hit Erebor's markets, famed for beauty and riches. Since the princes were in combat practice, Verbena did not have much to do, although she was eager to know the entire mountain. So, when opportunity arose, she escaped with her uncle into the kingdom's library. There they met Ori, the scribe, who was also one of the Company. She listened as her uncle and the sweet dwarf traded memories of their adventurous journey. After a while, Bena found herself entertained with a tome and wanted to read in a more inviting place, so she asked to be excused to read elsewhere.

Bena had the intention to go back to their rooms, but her eyes caught an open door with light. It was natural light, the first real light she had seen inside the mountain. The door had a sign in a language Bena could not read. So she went in the door, that had stairs, and she climbed them, following the light.

Soon she saw herself in the ramparts of Erebor, facing the whole valley from the top of the embattlements. Bena took a moment to take in the brisk winter breeze and gazed at the city of Dale and the river Running.

It was a beautiful view, even though she was only a step away from a fall several hundred meters high. Bena even forgot the book she was carrying to take in the magnificent scenery, complete with a pale winter sun. She was so absorbed in the beauty at her feet that the man's approach was unheard. When his deep voice came forth, Bena almost jumped out of her skin.

"Who are you? What are doing here?"

She turned to stare at an imposing and tall dwarf, donned in majestic guise, and answered, frightened, "I'm sorry, master dwarf. My name is Bena, short for Verbena."

He said, sharply, his mood still foul, "I can see you are a hobbit. Are you Master Baggins's cousin? The king's intended?"

"Although I call Bilbo my uncle, I am in fact his cousin, "she answered. "But my cousin Lobelia is the king's intended. I wouldn't stand a chance against her."

He looked at her and asked, "Why not? You're pretty enough, I guess."

"I am not into politics and such. Besides, Lobelia is the perfect lady, with much better manners than me, and she's quite keen on becoming queen, which I am not."

The dwarf smirked with irony, "I could've sworn that becoming queen is every woman's dream. Even hobbit ladies."

Bena shrugged, "Uncle Bilbo says I'm not a usual hobbit girl. And then there's always the king to consider."

"What about him? Do you find fault in him?"

Bena was horrified to offend the man's king, even without intention.

"Oh, please, Master Dwarf, I mean no disrespect towards your king. My uncle admires him greatly, and he is so honored to be considered a friend by His Majesty. I just meant that I would like to take the king's feelings into account. In a political marriage, such things are never considered. My uncle says the king has already done so much for his people, and it is not fair to be married for other reason than love."

The dwarf said heavily, "Well, it's the price of the crown."

"And I still say it's not fair. See? I know nothing about politics. I know kings are not ordinary men, but they should also be entitled to some happiness, don't you think? And King Thorin is reputed to be such a hero - he has made so many sacrifices for his people."

The dwarf gazed at her for quite a few seconds, enough to make Bena uncomfortable. She was about to make a comment when he observed sharply, "You have a book in your hands, so I assume you can read. Didn't you see the sign?"

"I can't read your language, sir. If I trespassed some forbidden territory, I apologize and shall take my leave. But it's a pity, for I shall miss this beautiful view. What does the sign say?"

"'Authorized persons only'," he said. "But I can arrange for you to have permission, if you wish."

"Oh, please, I don't want to cause you any trouble with the king."

He replaced all the anger in his eyes for curiosity as he asked, "Why would you say that?"

"Well, since you wear the king's colors and armor, I assume you are on the royal guard. And the king can be quite cantankerous, from what Uncle Bilbo says." Her eyes went wide as she realized what she said. "Oh, please, don't tell my uncle I said that. Or the king, please."

He smiled for the first time, "All right. The king won't hear a word from me."

"Thank you. So, as I said, if you make such a request on my behalf when His Majesty is in a bad day, you might get in trouble, and it would be my fault. I don't want that."

Again, the dwarf looked at her in an assessing manner, and Bena could appreciate his midnight blue eyes. Although the man had a big nose, he did not look like any other dwarf she met so far. Well, it only proved to her there was diversity to all races.

"I will not get in trouble," he assured her. "But I suspect you may be the one already in trouble, Mistress Bena. I reckon there will be a banquet with the king tonight. Won't your uncle miss you?"

"Oh my Lady Yavanna!" Her eyes went wide. "You are right, Mr. Guard; uncle Bilbo will be so cross if I make them late! Gotta go now. Goodbye, Mr. Guard! Thank you. Hope to see you again when I meet the king!"

"No! Wait!"

Verbena ran off the strange balcony really worried that her uncle would be upset about her absence. It took her some time to realize two things: she might have been rude to the king's guard and said guard had been really nice to her, even though he was a bit grumpy. "So befitting: a grumpy guard to a grumpy king", she thought with a smile.

0o0 o0o 0o0 o0o

As she had feared, her uncle was beside himself.

"Where have you been?!"

She explained, "I just went out to explore the mountain, uncle. I'm sorry."

Lobelia asked, angrily, "Have you forgotten we were invited to a banquet with the king tonight?"

"No, but I got distracted. I met one of the royal guards, a nice man," she answered. "He was very helpful."

Lobelia wanted to know, "Did he tell you anything about Your Majesty? Oh, I can't wait to meet my husband!"

Uncle Bilbo reminded her, "Future husband. And you may still refuse the courtship."

"Why would I do that? I hope it's a short courtship, because I can't wait to be queen!"

"For that to happen, first impressions are important," insisted Uncle Bilbo. "I want both of you on your best tonight. We cannot disappoint the royals or King Thorin."

Lobelia said, "If dwarves take a fancy on hobbit lasses after their king marries me, maybe we can fix you with one of the princes, dear cousin. They look pretty… for dwarves, I guess."

"And leave Uncle all alone in Bag End?" Bena smiled. "I wouldn't want to do that."

Bilbo said, "Oh, you don't let your old uncle stand in the way of your happiness, dear Bena. I just want you to be happy, be it with Fíli or Kíli or with any other lad from Erebor or the Shire."

"But I am happy, Uncle," she guaranteed. "This has been such a wonderful trip, and we're living so many adventures!"

Lobelia said, "Well, let's not have too many adventures before I have a chance to meet my future husband. Now hurry up, Verbena, don't make us look bad before the royals."

There was no cause for apprehension, assured Bilbo, as he escorted both ladies when Balin came for them. Bena had her green dress, and it agreed nicely with her brown eyes and blondish hair. Lobelia had a stunning blue one, in the colors of the House of Durin. Balin complimented both lasses and guided them to the banquet hall.

A guard opened the door, which was quickly filling with people, and Balin whispered to the herald. Then the man proceeded to shout to the whole hall, "The Honorable Bilbo Baggins of the Shire, his ward Verbena, and the Lady Lobelia Sackville!"

The whole room turned to them, and Bena wanted to hide behind Bilbo. And then a voice shouted, "Mister Boggins!"

Bena saw her uncle smile as few times before as the two familiar young dwarves in rich attire ran to them.

"Oh, lads!" Bilbo greeted them. "So did you catch up with the evening outing?"

"Yes," said Fíli. "But we missed you and Mistress Verbena."

"Just Bena, please," asked the girl. "And I am sorry I missed the outing, but I heard there was a library..."

Kíli laughed, "Oh, it seems your niece has a lot in common with you, Bilbo."

Uncle said, "I am afraid my bachelor manners have rubbed off on Bena, Kíli."

She said, "I like to read. I wouldn't miss an opportunity to see that amazing library."

"Oh Mahal," said Fíli. "I bet Ori loved you."

"He was very nice and helpful."

Kíli said, "Mother and Lady Lobelia made quite an appearance at the market today."

Lobelia blushed demurely, and Fíli said, "Oh, here come Mother and Uncle."

The king!

Lobelia flushed in expectation, and the herald announced, "The Princess Dís and Thorin, son of Thráin, son of Thrór, King under the mountain!"

The whole hall kneeled, except for the princes. Kíli said, "You don't have to kneel, Master Baggins. You are Khazâd-bahel. "

Bena recalled what her uncle told her: Thorin gave him an official title of Greatest Friend of All Dwarves. Apparently Bilbo had forgotten that. Verbena kept her head down and then she heard a familiar deep voice greeting, "My dear Bilbo...!"

"Thorin, old friend!"

Several things happened at once.

Verbena saw as her uncle embraced a tall dwarf who was beside the Lady Dís, and said dwarf had an exquisite crown on top of his head, and then the crowned dwarf was smiling at her uncle, but she recognized said dwarf as the guard she had met a few hours ago up on that rampart. And then Bena's brain stopped and her heart raced.

The guard was not a guard.

The guard was the king.

Nobody less than King Thorin himself.

Bena asked the Green Lady to open up a hole in the mountain to swallow her, from sheer embarrassment. She was bowed and kept her head down, trying to hide it when the Lady Dís introduced, "Brother, let me introduce you the graceful Lady Lobelia and her cousin Verbena."

The king took Lobelia's hand and kissed it, greeting, "My lady, welcome to Erebor."

Bena's heart rate accelerated dangerously when she heard the man's voice to her, "And here you are, Mistress Verbena. I hope you don't think poorly of me, but you left in such a hurry that I couldn't set the record straight and introduce myself properly."

Bilbo was astonished, "You two met before?"

Bena was red as a beet as she tried to answer, "It was a misunderstanding…"

The king tried to diffuse the tension, "I am afraid somehow Miss Verbena found my private balcony, and then she mistook me for a royal guard."

She was mortified, even more because King Thorin seemed to find the whole situation very funny, and she tried to explain, "I didn't mean to offend Your Majesty…"

Said Majesty was thoroughly amused, smirking, "That much was very clear, child, don't you worry."

Bena was not happy to be made fun of, and said, her blood boiling, as sometimes Bagginses are prone to do, "Then perhaps it would have been nicer if Your Majesty had come clean right from the start."

The Lady Dís turned her eyes on Bena, who flushed again, though this time for different reasons. And the king bowed, seemingly chastised, "Peace, Miss Verbena. I stand by my word. You are very welcome to enjoy my private balcony anytime."

Still miffed, Bena curtsied stiffly, "That is mighty generous of you, Your Majesty."

There were a few diplomatic smiles, and Bena flinched when she saw Lobelia's eyes sparkling in fury that her future fiancé had words with her prior to their meeting. Bena knew she'd be hearing a lot when they reached the privacy of their rooms.

They proceeded to be seated: the king was between Bilbo and Lobelia, Bena was beside Bilbo, the Lady Dís beside Lobelia and Fíli and Kíli by Bena's other side.

During the whole banquet, Bena avoided looking at the king, still mortified at the whole affair. Both Kíli and Fíli distracted her, but her mind kept coming back to her embarrassment. Bena hoped she didn't jeopardize Lobelia's courtship.

Since she was so keen on avoiding King Thorin, Bena never realized that every time the king addressed Bilbo, his eyes searched for Bena. Then he'd turn to Lobelia, smile and look back at Bilbo, trying to catch Bena's eye.

When the banquet was over, and everyone retired, Bena knew she had to have words with her cousin. She waited until they were in their rooms to say, "Lobelia... I'm sorry."

She was cross, but she wasn't aggressive when she asked, "I am mad you met him first, but why are you apologizing? It was not your fault."

"I know, but I was harsh to him before dinner," said Bena. "He might be angry."

Her uncle tried to calm her down, "Thorin was jesting. It's good to know he finally developed a sense of humor. So, Lobelia, what do you say?"

"I say Bena is not to blame, uncle," said the older girl. "She couldn't possibly know that man was the king."

"No, I mean about Thorin. What do you think about courting him, now that you met him?"

She shrugged in a nonchalant way, "He's fine, I guess."

"Fine?" Bena was appalled. "He is much more, I guess. Cheer up, cousin. He does not walk with a cane, and he is neither deaf nor toothless. Right?"

Bilbo looked at the girls, who were smirking at each other. "What are you two talking about?"

The girls exploded in laughter, remembering their previous conversations about Lobelia's fears on Thorin being an old and decadent dwarf. When they shared this with their uncle, Bilbo also laughed heartily.