Chapter One

Orianna was out on her patrol. Well, not officially. She was a female dwarf and not really allowed to participate in the military service. But: she had her daily routine. And her own daily patrol. No matter what anybody else would say.

She was sitting on top of a stone inside of the massive throne room of the dwarven king. Hidden behind a huge pillar. Huddled. And listening. To get that right: she was and would always be loyal to her king and his family. But on the other hand it wasn't bad to know, what was going on around her, was it?

This morning the young, yet powerful and wise wizard Valandalf had arrived, which always meant something. She wasn't sure, what exactly, but that was one of the reasons she sat on this stone.

"Thror", the dark voice of the wizard buzzed through the vast hall, echoing from every corner of the room. "You need to listen to me."

"I don't want to hear this stupid story about this upcoming danger." Orianna couldn't see her king, but she knew, that he was waving his hand in front of the wizard. That was, what he always did, when he disliked something.

"Thror", the voice was calmer now, gentler. "You know, that I've always been a friend of the dwarves. I supported you, whenever I could. All I'm asking you is to trust me."

"Valandalf", the dwarven king wasn't gentler or milder speaking. This was his kingdom. "My friend. I don't want to put my dwarves in danger, when I can avoid it. We were born to mine, to craft, to create with what is given. And we are doing good."

"But there is a danger, that will come onto your kingdom, King Thror, whether you accept it or not. This danger will not ask your permission!"

"I will not change my mind on this subject. Know, that I trust you and I value everything you did for me and my dwarves. And still do. But I will not leave this mountain and I will not endanger those, who trust me."

"I don't want you to leave, but to fight as long as there still is a chance. The longer you wait, the tougher it gets. I'm just asking you to send out a group of 10 or 15 of your paladins to fight the danger and to ensure the future of all of you."

"Friend, I heard, what you said. Still I am not willing to concede." Orianna heard her king getting up, imagining him to put his hand on Valandalfs shoulder, as he often did. "Please join me and my family for lunch, you must be starving."


"Tamis, Tamis", Orianna knocked excessively on the door. "Tamis, open the door!"

Nervously she bounced from one leg to another. Centuries seemed to pass, before the door slowly opened and she saw the round face and the wild, brown curls of her best friend.

"Ori...", Tamis couldn't speak out the whole name of the excited dwarf in front of her, because Orianna already stormed through the door, just to stand in the middle of Tamis' living room, rubbing her hands and conspiratorially glancing at her.

"Go pack your bags, my friend!"

"Why?", Tamis asked, slightly worried by the expression on Oriannas face. Firm, yet excited and glaring.

"Because Valandalf needs us!"

Tamis stared at her again, this time in disbelief. "Us?"

"Well, yes." Orianna wanted to tell her friend everything she had overheard. Wanted her to know, why it was important, that they followed him. Wanted her to be just as excited as herself. But Tamis looked troubled, as though she wouldn't like the thought of leaving Erebor. "And no. Not exactly us, but dwarves. He needs dwarves to follow him. To rescue the rest of us."

Tamis shook her head, still in disbelief. "But what about the men? Why aren't they following?"

"Because Thror won't let them."

"And why does he need dwarves?"

"Oh, Tamis, don't ask that much, start packing instead! I'm already done." She pointed to a dark brown backpack, sitting on one of the wooden chairs, which stood in front of the small, but impressive fireplace.

Tamis sighed. "Will you at least tell me, where we're heading?"

Orianna summed up, what she had heard, while Tamis packed the things, that were most important to her - and some additional food.

"Orianna, I need a moment to...", she couldn't find the right words for what she was up to. "I'll just need about half an hour and I'll be back."

Orianna stared at her, thinking, one of her braided strands of hair between her fingers. "Are you sure?", she asked with a firm expression on her face. She knew, where Tamis would be heading. And she knew, that it wouldn't do her any good.


Tamis ran down the enormous stone floor, that lead her through the Erebor, to the place her heart drew her to. With a heart pounding as loud as a dwarven hammer she stood in front of a wooden door with carved intarsia. Slowly she lifted her hand, just to drop it again. She took a deep breath, before she lifted it again and knocked three times. The first one was gentle, the second one brave and the third one desperate.

"Enter!" The sound of this voice made her shudder, even if she was on the other side of the door. She opened it hesitantly. Was she really sure, that she wanted to do this? Nervously she flattened her dress with her shaking hands.

She cleared her throat, took another deep breath and entered the room. Looking down to the floor she dropped a curtsy, noticing the dark red carpet underneath her feet. A royal colour for a member of the royal family.

"Tamis", his voice seemed gentler, but she knew that could change within seconds. "What is the purpose of your visit?"

She raised her gaze, just to look into the room she knew so well. It was furnished with a dark brown writing desk, two armchairs padded with dark-red velvet and a small round table. She considered the grandson of her king as one of her friends. One of the closer ones.

She needed to talk to him, tell him, that he had to convince his grandfather to follow Valandalf. For the sake of those, who had been and those to come.

But she couldn't.

"Nothing", she said. Voices in her head screaming: 'You have to get your men out there. You have to fight and rescue all of us, before it is too late.'

"Nothing?", he asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Nothing", she confirmed, marvelling at those hypnotizing blue eyes, letting her gaze wander across his face. She turned around, facing the door, lifting her hand to the level of the door knob. Hesitating. It was now or never. She turned again, facing Thorin, suddenly aware of the physical proximity of him. Slowly she leaned over, touched his cheek just for a short moment, before she placed a kiss on the exact same spot.

And then she ran, down the floor, tears in her eyes. Not knowing whether she would ever see him again. She would follow Valandalf and that would definitely mean she would be in danger soon.