The two encounters with the wolf remained in Thorin's mind the entire time he searched through Dunland for his father. He did not know why this creature stirred such a curiosity in him, beside the dream he had, it was only the similarity of the eyes that made Thorin curious about the wolf. Nonetheless, he continued searching through Dunland and didn't find a single sign of him, nor the wolf after that encounter by the river. He had hoped to see her again, but he did not. He occasionally heard the familiar howls at night, but they were very distant now, and when he left Dunland there was nothing to be heard and he decided that perhaps it was nothing more then just luck that he encountered a beautiful creature. Perhaps the wolf was just one of a few of its kind and he decided it was best to keep it a close guarded secret until more proof could be brought forward to tell anyone else. So, he made his way to Bree, taking his time as he did so in the hopes to see the wolf again or even the dream he had. But that hope was washed away when a storm hit the night he finally arrived in the small town, making his way to the Prancing Pony inn to pay for food and a room for the night. He entered the inn, took off his rain coat and walked to the counter to announce his presence to the inn keeper.
"Good evening master dwarf!" The man said merrily. "What can I do for you tonight sir?"
"I wish to stay in a room for the night and have a hot meal," Thorin responds, getting out a bag of coin to give to the man.
"Ah, that we certainly can do for you sir," The man said as he took the coins and counted them before handing the bag back of the coins he did not need and the key to his room with the number on it. "Welcome to the Prancing Pony, enjoy your stay."
"Thank you," Thorin said with a slight bow before making his way to the seating area of the inn.
He found a two-seat table near the fire that was empty and took one seat. He pulled out his pipe to smoke when the waitress came over.
"Good evening sir, what can I get for you tonight?" She asked in a friendly manner.
"Do have any specials on tonight?" Thorin asked curiously. "I'll have that and an ale please."
"Coming right up," The woman said affirmatively. "It is just bread, boiled eggs and cheese though, if you want to have a hot stew after that do let me know."
"Will do, thank you," Thorin said with a kind smile before the woman walked away to get his order.
Thorin sighed deeply, noting he was being stared at by a couple of men nearby making him feel uneasy for the moment.
His eyes scoured the room as he waits for his meal and as he looked over the bar, he glanced back as he thought he saw silver hair for a moment. Thorin blinked and saw a blonde woman at the bar, making him sigh in slight disappointment as he thought the woman he dreamed of was there. It must be the hunger, he thought. Otherwise that would be a very embarrassing moment if he got up and went over. The waitress returned with his food and drink, he thanked her for it and dug into the food. He noticed a hobbit walking by and joining some of the men at the counter, Thorin has seen hobbits before but never really socialized with them. Even the ones living in Bree. However, he grew more uneasy as the two men staring at him from either side of the inn seemed to darken their gaze and stand up. Thorin gripped the hilt of his sword, ready to fight when a tall man, with a grey beard showed up in front of him.
"Mind if I join you?" He asked as he took a seat. Gandalf touches the arm of the same waitress who was walking passed and told her he would have the same food as Thorin. Thorin was relieved the two men sat back in their seats at this moment. "I should introduce myself, my name's Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey."
"I know who you are," Thorin said in acknowledgement.
"Well now," Gandalf said with a smile on his face. "This is a fine chance." His expression changes to a more curious one. "What brings Thorin Oakenshield to Bree?"
Thorin sighed a little, knowing the wizard would prod a bit if he didn't answer straight away. "So, he gave out his answer. "I had received word that my father had been seen wondering near the wilds of Dunland," Thorin said softly. "I went searching, found no sign of him."
"Ah, Thrain," Gandalf said solemnly with a look of pity on his face.
"You're like the others," Thorin said as he observed Gandalf's face. "You think he's dead."
"I was not at the battle of Moria," Gandalf said bluntly, affirming he didn't have much more acknowledgement than what he believes.
"No, but I was," Thorin said, as his mind wanders back to that battle at the gates of Moria. "My grandfather, Thror was slain. My father led a charge toward the gate. He never returned. Thrain is gone, they told me, he is one of the fallen. But at the end of that battle, I searched amongst the slain, to the last body. My father was not among the dead."
Gandalf looked at Thorin with kindness as he spoke. "Thorin, it's been a long time since anything, but rumour, has heard of Thrain," He said kindly.
"He still lives, I am sure of it," Thorin said in a soft, confident tone.
Gandalf was silent for a moment, seemingly thinking of what to say next. His next question about his grandfather's ring was not exactly what he had expected. "The ring, your grandfather wore, one of the seven given to the dwarf lords many years ago, what became of it?"
Thorin at first wasn't sure before he remembered what his grandfather did with the ring. "He gave it to my father before they went into battle."
"Thrain was wearing when he…when he went missing?" Gandalf asked carefully, avoiding the fact Thorin didn't believe his father was dead. Thorin just nods once. "That's that then."
The waitress walked over with Gandalf's food and drink at this time to give to the wizard. Thorin began to wonder if this meeting was truly chance or not. The wizard would not be here talking to him without a good reason.
"I know my father came to see you before the battle of Moria," Thorin said curiously. "What did you say to him?"
"I urged him to march upon Erebor," Gandalf replied. "To round up the seven armies of the dwarves, to destroy the dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain. And I would say the same to you. Take back your homeland."
Thorin knew it, this was no chance meeting. He leaned back, sliding his plate aside to sip some ale. "This is no chance meeting is it, Gandalf?"
"No, it is not," Gandalf replied. looked slightly concerned when he said this. "The Lonely Mountain troubles me, Thorin. That dragon has sat there long enough. Sooner or later, darker minds will turn towards Erebor. I ran into some unsavoury characters whilst traveling along the Great Road, they mistook me for a vagabond."
"I imagine they regretted that," Thorin said, glancing around as he felt uneasy again while Gandalf reached into a pocket in his robe to grab out something. His eyes spot silver hair again, this time brushing passed the waitress and disappearing again. Now he knew he saw it and he almost didn't focus on what Gandalf had to say next.
"One of them was carrying a message," Gandalf saying, laying out a ripped scroll with writing on it. "It is black speech." Thorin looked up at Gandalf slightly alarmed, retracting his fingers as he knew where black speech came from. "A promise of payment."
"For what?" Thorin asked, uncertain if he wanted to know the answer.
"Your head," Gandalf said bluntly, alarming Thorin and sending chills up his spine. "Someone wants you dead. Thorin, we can wait no longer. You are the heir to the throne of Durin, unite the armies of the dwarves. Together you'll have the might and power to retake Erebor. Summon a meeting with the seven dwarf families, demand they stand by their oath."
"The seven armies swore that oath to the one that wields the king's jewel, the Arkenstone," Thorin said firmly, even if he knew he should at least try. "It is the only thing that will unite them. And in case you have forgotten, that jewel was stolen by Smaug!"
Gandalf and Thorin had noticed the two men who were eyeing the dwarf earlier had decided to leave, knowing that they were not going to get their prize today which Thorin was able to relax because of that.
"What if I were to help you reclaim it?" Gandalf proposed, knowing now Thorin will want to go to Erebor.
"How?" Thorin asked. "The Arkenstone lies half a world away, buried beneath the feet of a fire breathing dragon."
"Yes, it is, that is why we will need a burglar," Gandalf said with a smile.
"A burglar?" Thorin said with a snicker. "What kind of burglar?"
"One that can slip in completely unnoticed and a scent unfamiliar to the dragon," The wizard replied confidently.
"Oh sure, well, I really hope I will not regret making this decision, Gandalf," Thorin said with a slight frown as he sipped his drink. "My people do have a good like in the Blue Mountains."
"Yes, I know and it is good that you have done that for them," Gandalf continued. "However, I believe it is important…"
Thorin stopped listening to Gandalf after that. Walking passed the table, behind the wizard, wearing a dark dress and braids in her hair, those sapphire eyes glanced towards the table and locked with Thorin's. His mind was lost as she walked passed, almost completely in slow motion. She was exactly like in his dream, her lips were naturally like the colour of pink rubies, her skin looked soft and delicate, her face bore no trauma or blemish, completely innocent and beautiful. Gandalf glanced behind him when he noticed Thorin was not looking. He looked at the dwarf curiously before tapping the table, making Thorin look at him.
"Do you know that woman?" Gandalf asked curiously.
"No…uh, maybe," Thorin said uncertainly, breathing deeply. "It's…a strange story I'd rather not tell."
Gandalf was curious, and Thorin could tell. He wasn't going to say anything, so he ate his food quickly, drank his ale and left the table quickly to make his way to his room. He looked at the key to check the number and walked down the hall to find his room. The room he was in was at the end of the hall, which was a glass window and he could see his reflection on it. He also saw her reflection, and Thorin turned around, but she was not there. At least he knew she was real, but he didn't know if he should talk to her. And yet, she looked right at him with the same kindness as the woman in his dream and the wolf, it was obvious the woman knew him. But he didn't know how. Right now, he just decided going to bed was a good decision.
Downstairs
Gandalf walked over to the table in the corner where the young woman sat, eating the venison stew she had paid for from the kitchen. Her sapphire eyes looked up, her silver blue eyelashes shimmered in the light of the candles.
"Gandalf," She said softly, gesturing to the empty seat in front of her. "Please, have a seat."
The wizard smiled and sat down with a deep sigh. "It is nice to meet you again Luna, I was not expecting to see you," He said with a curious frown. "And yet here you are, making Thorin weak in his mind and losing his focus. I trust you know the story."
The woman smiled gently. "Indeed," Luna said with a gentle chuckle. "You already know I left my pack in search of a mate, or a potential mate, and I happened to be in Dunland the same time as Thorin. I did not know he would be there, but we…there is a connection Gandalf and I have reached out to him. But I know that he has roots at Erebor, I don't want my heart to be broken if he chooses not to be with me for gold."
Gandalf rubbed his chin thoughtfully, surprised that Luna and Thorin were to be soul mates. It was hard for the wolf shape shifters to ignore their instinct when it came to courtship and being with their mate.
"This is news…well, perhaps you should join in then," He said with a smile.
"Oh, yes, your plan to retake Erebor right?" Luna asked mischievously. "I heard the whole thing, wolves have just as good of hearing, perhaps better, then elves."
The wizard chuckled humbly and rolled his eyes. "I hope that is something that will make you want to get close to Thorin," He said softly.
"I don't know," Luna said honestly, surprising the wizard. "I want him to have his home back, but…I also know of his family history with the gold at Erebor. I can't just ignore that. As beautiful as I am, like the rest of my kind is, I cannot compare to that…dragon-like yearn for that treasure. I would want to believe love is more powerful, but I cannot be certain."
"I understand your hesitance Luna," The wizard said slowly, nodding in understanding. "But I know you will follow even if you choose not to come now. Perhaps I will give you time to think on it instead. In about three months, Thorin should have a small team of dwarves to go with him to Erebor and had a meeting with the seven kings. And I plan on bringing a hobbit along with us as our burglar."
"A hobbit? Gandalf, that kind of adventure isn't really their thing," Luna said with a chuckle. "I know some hobbits have gone on adventures, but most of their adventures is to the bar, garden or causing mischief for their farmers. I have gone through the Shire a few times and they just don't seem that interested in the world out here. Why not ask a hobbit from Bree?"
"Because I know the hobbit in question, and I know he'll come," Gandalf said confidently. "Will that be enough time to think?"
Luna sighed deeply and looked at Gandalf. "Sure…" She said uncertainly. "This is going to be one tale to tell back with the pack that is for sure."
"Had you planned on starting your own?" Gandalf asked curiously.
She was surprised by his question, and her naturally blushed cheeks turned more red. "Well, that was the idea," Luna said softly. "And it might even happen, it's just I'll be stuck at a mountain and not in a beautiful forest like my birthplace."
Gandalf smiled gently at her. "Keep that dream alive, young wolf," The wizard said, puffing some smoke from his pipe. "I am sure Thorin will want that too eventually."
Luna appreciated the wizard's comfort and encouragement, but she had her doubts. She could only stretch out her mind right now, knowing Thorin was asleep, she wanted to touch his mind like she did the first time. Luna is one of a few of the wolves in her pack to have that ability to show herself to her mate's mind and create an almost real presence near them, and she is happy to have it to try and bring Thorin closer to her. It will be difficult, but it is what she has to do to bring her mate to her.