I slept like the dead that night, I guess moving to a different world takes a lot out of you but I was grateful for it because it meant that I didn't have the chance to think over my situation and again nearly cry about it. I knew it was unhealthy, keeping all the emotions in but there was nothing else I could do I just had to get up and move on for now.

When I woke the next morning the sun was already up but I knew it was still early as there was fog still lying in the valley below, it was a cool morning but the night before Aedon had given me his blanket saying his coat would be enough for him, I didn't believe him but what could I do, I had nothing in my bag that would keep me warm. I looked around trying to spot him, but he was nowhere in sight. My forehead scrunched up in confusion, his pony (who I still had to get the name of) was still where I left him the night before but he was now saddled and ready to go at a moment's notice. I got up pulling the blanket from me , folding it as I stood up, the fire was only small embers now. I heard movement to my right and saw Aedon coming through from the tree line, I gave a small smile of relief, he seemed to do a double take when he saw me up but gave me small twitch of the beard in return.

"Thought I'd have to wake you myself lass, would've almost thought you were dead with the way you were sleeping, if it wasn't for your snores of course." I gave him a scowl at that remark though I knew it was true, I had always been teased about my snores though I think people just exaggerated. He gave a grin of amusement at my reaction. "Ready to go then?" he said.

"Two minutes." I said gesturing toward the Wood " I just need to…am yeah." I walked toward the tree line quickly knowing he was probably laughing at my awkwardness. When I came back he had the campsite completely cleared, if I didn't know better I would've thought no one had been here if it weren't for the tell-tale signs of the fire, though he'd done well at hiding it. He saw me coming and gestured for me to hop on the pony, I did so then remembered the question I'd been meaning to ask, "What's his name, by the way?" Aedon looked up at me, handing me the water skin that I hadn't even noticed he was holding as well as a bit of bread for breakfast with berries that he must of found. While I drank some of the water he answered "Polly." So he was a she. "I'm guessing you didn't name her." He smirked and said "No that was my wife." I blinked at him in surprise. "You're married?"

"That so surprising to you lass?"

"Yes well no, to be honest I hadn't given it any thought…Alright this is unfair you know basically my life story but I only know your name and your ponies." He gave a huff at that, taking the reins moving us onward. "That's not my fault lass."

"I'm not saying it's anyone's fault. I guess I'm trying to ask if it's alright if I ask questions about you this time." His forehead wrinkled "Did you think that you couldn't?"

I shrugged my shoulders "I wasn't sure, you seem a private person." He rolled his eyes at me. "So do you Miss Ciara but that didn't stop you." I smirked at that. "Fair enough."

"So what's your wife's name?"

"Merna."

I smiled. "What's she like?"

And so we talked, of his wife who sound like Mahal's great gift to Dwarrow, of the place they lived, it was apparently not too far from Bree, of his occupation as a tanner, he traveled from village to village, trading whatever was needed, collecting orders for the next run, how that he was in fact travelling home when he came across me, his last stop being Bree. We talked most of the day, stopping when we came across a river, refilling the water skin, me trying to convince him to get on Polly instead of me, him blank right refusing, then we compromised with us both riding her, which is extremely uncomfortable seeing as the saddle was made with only one person in mind. But it made for faster travelling so we 'grinned and bared it' or more like grimaced and bared it but by the end of the day we came into Bree just as night fell.

I was beside myself with giddiness, we were in Bree! My inner fan-girl squealed in excitement. Aedon must've noticed my restlessness because he turned to give me a look and said "I want you to keep as out of sight as possible." I looked at him with disbelief. "Why?"

"I don't know how females are treated in your world but I can guess it's vastly different from how they're treated here by Man." My eyes widened at that, I'd forgotten that the roles of male and female were different here, from the way Aedon talked of his wife I would never have guessed but maybe it was different with Dwarves.

"What would they do?"

"Things I rather not think about, especially if they've been drinking." I nodded to him, showing my understanding of his warning but "How am I supposed to hide the fact I'm a woman?" I said. It was obvious that I was one, I am too curved at the top and with my long hair it would be hard to hide. "Open the satchel to your right, there should be a cloak in there, I want you to put it on and pull up the hood, cover yourself as much as you can." I set about to do what I'd been told.

"I'm here to meet an old friend of mine but until we get to the Inn he's staying at, you must stay hidden." I nodded again. We traveled through the streets in silence and I couldn't help but gawp at the scene around me, it looked so different then it had in the movies, the houses were much bigger then I'd thought and I really began to wonder are Man here different to humans back home? I always assumed they were the same but at the moment I was seeing more similarities with the Dwarrow then Man though in fairness I'd only seen one dwarf and though we'd passed a few Men travelling the streets I couldn't get a good measure seeing as I was on a pony.

While I was lost in thought we'd traveled into a new part of town, it was on a hill face and…were they hobbit holes in the hill? I looked around me and saw that the houses and lodgings had become quite a bit smaller, more to Aedon's and my own size. Aedon pulled Polly to a halt outside one of the Inn's. "Can I pull my hood down now?" I asked. "Aye but don't take off the cloak, your clothes are too strange." I made a noise of agreement as Aedon handed Polly off to a stable boy. "How are you going to explain my presence to this old friend of yours?" I asked Aedon as we walked into the Inn. "I'll tell him the truth. You are lost, with no place to go and we were attacked by a Warg."

"And he'll accept that will he?" I said looking up at him.

"Aye lass he trusts my judgement." I gave him a nod then, straightening my back as we walked toward the bar. Aedon ordered two mugs of ale and food while I scanned the room trying to see any other dwarf. I eventually found one in the back corner of the inn, I nudged Aedon with my elbow, "Is that your friend?" I said gesturing with my head toward the corner. He looked over and a grin spread across his face. "Aye that's him." He said as he handed the barman payment for our order then grabbing the two mugs of ale and leading the way over to the other dwarf.

As we came nearer I realized the dwarf looked familiar, my steps faltered, no way. No Way! This couldn't be possible, but yet there sat one of the dwarves from Thorin Oakenshield's company Óin son of Gróin. He looked different, younger I'd say, not by much but his hair seemed less grey and had more black and I couldn't see an ear trumpet.

Aedon had reached his table by this point and I realized I had stopped halfway over, I rushed over before he realized I had lagged behind but I needn't have worried for all his focus was on Óin as he greeted him, they slammed foreheads and I then realized how close they really must be because as far as I remembered dwarves only greeted each other thus when they were family or close enough to that.

I stood awkwardly to the side as they exchanged greetings. "Thank you for coming old friend." Aedon said. "Wouldn't miss it for the world lad. Now-" I gave a slight cough interrupting their reunion, not that I wanted to but I thought it would be better if Óin knew I was there before he continued their conversation. I made a face of apology towards Aedon but he seemed more amused than anything else, Óin on the other hand looked beyond confused.

"Ah yes forgive me Miss Ciara, this is my good friend Óin son of Gróin." Óin who still looked confused bowed and said "At your service Miss." I gave him a warm smile and bowed back saying "Ciara Branagán at yours." He gave me a nod then looked to Aedon obviously wanting an explanation. Aedon pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit, I did so and he took the seat beside me we both looked up to Óin who then followed suit. Aedon passed me one of the mugs of ale I eyed it curiously before shrugging and taking a swing, I was pleasantly surprised when I was greeted with a sort of spicy fruity taste. I smiled and took another swing before settling in my chair. Aedon then began to explain the story of how we met and how we came to be here and so on, leaving out of course how I came to be here and where I was from. Óin took it all in in silence by the time Aedon had finished our food had arrived, as we had barely eaten all day we shoveled the food into our mouths. Óin seemed to be deep in thought as we ate.

Eventually Aedon took a breather gulping down a large bit of ale to help swallow the food he'd eaten, he then said "Miss Ciara here is also wanting to become a Healer, now I thought that was greatly lucky as I'm meeting one of the finest among dwarves." I looked at Aedon in shock as did Óin. Óin overcame his first and for the first time that evening gave me his full attention "You wish to become a Healer?" he asked.

I gave Aedon one last look before answering Óin. "Am yes, yes I do though where I'm from we call them nurses and I'm not positive if the criteria is the same." Óin gave me a considering look then asked "Well does a nurse heal the sick?"

"Yes."

"Well then I'd say they're the same lass." He said with a huff. I tried hard not to roll my eyes.

"Nurses look after those who are sick but are not generally the ones to diagnose them, though they can in some cases, but generally they help whoever is sick and stay with them until they recover their health."

"Aye lass that is the role of a Healer also, though it's strange that you call them nurses." I could see where he was going with this and interrupted before he got there. "Yes I know it has a completely different meaning here." I said with a huff and a small smile of amusement. He gave me a nod but said "Though lass I'm not sure you'd be able for it." I narrowed my eyes at him and I could see Aedon frantically shake his head in the corner of my eye. "And why is that exactly?" He seemed to realize that he was heading toward dangerous territory but ploughed ahead. "It's a trying job lass, non-stop, always on the go, you won't have much peace for years and you won't be able to settle anywhere for long, as you're always in demand."

I could see he was trying to be diplomatic in his answer but his point was clear, I wouldn't be able to settle down and have a family for years to come and as I was in my early twenties it was expected for me to already be married if not with child at this point in my life. Especially in the circumstances of humans in this world. The thought was so ridiculous to me I tried to hold in my laughter but couldn't quite, I snorted. Loudly. Both dwarves looked at me in shock obviously not expecting that reaction and that set me off into a fit of giggles. I finally gained control of myself and said evenly enough "There's no need to worry about that whatsoever Master Óin."

He looked at me skeptically. "And why is that lass?"

"Well to be honest it's not on the agenda for a very long time, if ever." He looked like he was going to object to my statement when Aedon finally entered the conversation again. "Óin it is Miss Ciara's decision but either way you will be spending the next few weeks together as Miss Ciara is coming with us." Again we both looked at Aedon, Óin in shock but myself with a slight bit of anger.

"Am I now?" I asked raising my eyebrows at him. He had the decency to look sheepish at this. "Aye lass I was thinking it over on our journey and it seems to be the best course of action." I made sure not to change my expression at his answer and I could actually see him becoming nervous, well he started to fidget and shift in his seat so I think he was nervous. I eventually gave him a small smile and said "Alright, thank you. I know you don't have to do any of this for me so thank you. But you know next time? Ask me first!" He gave me a sharp nod of understanding.

Now knowing we had a plan I had enough surprises for the day so began to stand "Is there a room booked or are we camping tonight?" I asked wanting to just go to sleep. The dwarves exchanged a look. "Well lass I had booked a room but I was only expecting Aedon and myself." Óin answered. "I will ask if they have another to spare." He started to get up but I quickly stopped him.

"Oh there's no need to get another room Master Óin we can all just share the one. Only if, well that's alright with ye two?" I said looking between them, worried I had crossed some sort of boundary. They looked at me in surprise. "That's suitable to you lass? You wouldn't be uncomfortable."

"God no, I'm the one putting the both of ye out. As long as it's good with the two of yous I don't mind." I said giving them an assuring if not tired smile. They both assured me it was fine with them, Óin gave the directions to the room and off I went. I found it easily and when entering I saw the room was simple enough with one window, a wash basin and two single beds. I looked about the room looking for extra coverings glad I had come up before the other two because I know they would've made me take a bed while one of them slept on the floor. I soon spotted a small cupboard stocked with extra blankets and pillows and set up a place for myself on the floor. I moved quickly wanting to at least be able to pretend to be asleep when they came up so they wouldn't make a fuss of me sleeping on the floor.

By the time I had everything sorted I was exhausted and I needn't have worried about pretending to sleep for as soon as my head it the pillow I was gone.