I've changed this chapter a bit, I wanted to give a little more depth and time to the relationship between characters.


Many months passed and Sifs became the top in training, she could easily defeat anyone in her class. When she wasn't working on fighting techniques with Dwalin then she was learning from his older brother Balin about strategies and looking for the weaknesses in your opponents. She had become close friends with Arik who sparred with her on a regular basis. He continuously flirted with her and asked for dates, but she knew him to be a shameless womanizer and would not yield to him. She and Thorin had attempted to do as the king requested and spar together but after only a couple of bouts had ended with both bleeding and panting Dwalin had determined that it would be best for the both of them to stay away from each other. Both happily agreed. She and Dwalin developed a strong teacher to student friendship, after having spent time with him she could tell he was loyal beyond all thought to the line of Durin and was fierce in battle. Sif eagerly looked forward to a time when she could serve beside him.

As it was getting close to the end of training and Thror already knew that he would be bringing Sif into the Royal Guard he decided she needed to meet the royal family. So one evening Thror called for Sif to join them for dinner in his main hall. Thror escorted her in and introduced her to his household.

"Please come I believe the only one you haven't been acquainted with is my granddaughter Dis"

A beautiful dwarf maiden came forward, Sif made to bow low but the woman grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her in for a fierce hug. "So you are the one who beat up my brother? I do believe I love you already. Please come sit by me, I want to know everything about you!" The womans exuberance caught Sif off guard but she found it was infectious. Soon she was telling Sif all about her parents having died when she was little, how her grandfather had raised her. Both Thror and Thrain listened in and laughed when she recounted how she had always found her grandfathers sword even though he would hide it in the most ridiculous of places.

Thorin arrived in the main hall late in the evening long after his grandfather had called him to dinner. He walked in to sounds of laughter from his sister which made him smile, he was always glad to hear her happy. Then he heard another laugh one that was husky and lovely, it made him stop short when he realized the sound was coming from Sif. Also the only place left at the table was next to her.

"Ah Thorin, you're late. Please take a seat so we can begin eating" Thror gestured to the seat next to Sif as he was eager to begin eating.

Sif saw Thorin hesitate then grudgingly take the seat next to her, as the food was served an awkward silence descended with both Thorin and Sif attempting to not look at each other. Thorin felt more uncomfortable than ever, he could see her from the corner of his eye. For the first time he actually saw her as a woman not the girl who had given him a nasty head wound. She had toned up from the training and was amazing at fighting. She was also very pretty Thorin admitted to himself, but he would never dare to tell her that. Feeling stupid at his perusal of her Thorin began to eat with more vigor and they continued to eat in silence. Finally as Thror finished his own meal he cleared his throat and everyone looked up at him.

"The reason I brought you here my lady Sif is because I would like you after your graduation to begin as a personal guard for my grandchildren, especially Dis. Since you two seem to get along so well it is fitting." Dis' face broke into a wide grin and Sif couldn't help but smile back. "Thorin…"

"I do not need a personal guard; I have many of the warriors around me already. I shall be fine"

"Be that as it may Sif will still be partially responsible for your well-being, she will be here to keep an eye out when I or your father cannot. She has already shown exceptional skills in fighting and most of all reading people. It is my decision, Sif this will mean that you will move to a quarter up here near the family and you shall accompany us should we travel anywhere. Are you prepared for this task?"

Sif paused a moment and looked at each face in turn, she lingered a bit on Thorin who would not meet her gaze. Then she turned back to Thror with determination in her features "I am your majesty"

"Good, graduation is in three weeks time, we have a room prepared for you if you would like to begin moving your things"

"Thank you sir"

Three weeks later graduation was over, Sif had been awarded her place among the Royal Guard and her grandfather had been the one to place her pin on her tunic. As they sat for the last time in the little spot in front of the fire her grandfather beamed with pride.

"I can't believe this day is finally here. You did it, you're apart of the guards! I have no doubts now that you will make an excellent personal guard for the royal family."

"Thank you Papa, I will miss you."

"Oh we'll see each other from time to time, we're still in Erebor."

"I know, it just seems so daunting, constantly looking after Dis and Thorin" She rolled her eyes as she said his name.

"I think you'll find that their lives are much like ours they get up, they do their duties, and continue that day-to-day. Don't worry you'll be fine"

"Except that the Prince hates me, how am I supposed to protect someone whose main goal is going to be avoiding me?"

"You'll find a way I'm sure, and in time you will learn to appreciate each other. You must remember though that he is your Prince and you now work for him, so you must keep your temper in check"

"I will do my best"

"Good, now let's get this stuff out of here. You have royals to guard"

Sif beamed at her grandfather and both began to pull the cart with her things up to the palace.

…..

When Sif began moving her things into the room they had given her she was amazed at its sheer size. It was attached by a small hallway to Dis' room and was just down the hall from Thorin's so she could keep an eye on them. Dis greeted her excitedly and she showed her around the palace letting her know all the secret back routes and main routes to and from everything.

Many weeks passed and Sif settled into her routine easily, it was much like her grandfather had described. Sif had been fitted with her own armor and a new sword specially made for her, Dwalin had given her several smaller weapons to hide among her person. She got up every morning with Dis and accompanied her to the market and out on trips to Dale occasionally. Frequently she would accompany Thorin on diplomatic errands and stand watch as he conducted his business. Frequently he would try to deliberately lose her or would ignore her heeds for safety. In the evenings when Sif knew the Prince and Princess were safely within the palace she would head down to the pub and meet up with Arik. She usually ended up venting to him for most of the evening.

"He's completely arrogant; how the bloody hell do they expect me to protect him when he doesn't even want the protection."

"Are you going to sleep with me?"

Sif sputtered on her drink "What!? No where did that come from?"

"Oh well it was worth a shot. I listen to you complain about the Prince… a lot. I figured I'd see if I could get something out of it"

"You're such a jerk"

"I know but you love it. Look he's the Prince, and you're his guard but you're also the woman who kicked his ass on the first day of training. You will have to win his respect"

"Easier said than done"

"I haven't seen anything yet that you can't do" He gave her a smile and grabbed her hand.

"Thanks… but I'm still not sleeping with you"

"Damn" he muttered to himself as he pulled his hand back. Sif began laughing and finished of her drink.

…..

A few days later Thorin was storming down the halls of the palace he had been called by his grandfather to go to the Iron Hills to visit Thror's brother Gror. The thing that had the Prince in a terror though was that Thror had commanded that Thorin take only Sif with him.

"Grandfather you can't be serious, Dwalin is perfectly suited…"

"I need Dwalin here, and you need to get over this idiotic grudge against that girl"

"I hold no grudge against her I just think she is uneeded"

"And I don't. So she will accompany you to the Iron Hills"

..

That evening Sif was packing for her trip to the Iron Hills, she angrily shoved things into a bag not being able to get over her previous encounter with a certain dwarf.

Sif was walking back through the halls having accompanied Dis out to the market and back to the palace when Thorin called from behind her she spun around to see him glaring down at her.

"My grandfather has commanded that you accompany me to the Iron Hills, we leave tomorrow morning"

"I will prepare my things, who else will be accompanying us?"

"No one it is just us" He said through clenched teeth "I would be safer by myself" He muttered to himself but loud enough for Sif to hear, her blood began to boil as she marched to her room.

Dis crept into the room through their shared hall and flopped onto the bed, she didn't even need to ask what the source of Sif's anger was.

"So what did my pig-headed brother do this time?"

"I'm to escort him to the Iron Hills, just myself. And can you believe he had the nerve to say that he would be safer going alone!"

"Yes, yes I can believe he had the nerve to say that. He is an idiot after all. It will be alright it's not a far journey or a hard one. Just the both of you come back safe" She rolled over and squeezed Sif's bicep.

"We shall both come back unharmed, unless he should give me reason to kill him" Dis just laughed and bid Sif good night.

Sif rose early the next morning and had ponies ready and waiting for herself and Thorin. He stalked out of the main gates of Erebor and grabbed from the reigns from her, Sif just rolled her eyes and hopped on her pony. The journey to the Iron Hills was silent except for the occasional pauses and commands from Thorin, Sif did her job the best she could scouting ahead and keeping her sword ready in case of danger. The trip there was pleasant and met without misfortune.

They finally arrived at the halls of Gror and were welcomed in. The dwarfs of the Iron Hills while similar to their kin in Erebor had a much tougher demeanor having chosen a more difficult life to live, there were no precious gems in these mountains only iron ore and metals. Sif didn't see people roaming freely and smiling like you would find in Erebor. She stood close to Thorin. She felt more than a little uncomfortable in this place and hoped their visit would be short. Finally Gror followed by his own guards came down and greeted them.

"AH Thorin my great-nephew how are you?" He grasped Thorin and pulled him into a crushing hug.

"Very well uncle, and yourself?"

"I'm doing well, life is tough but we manage. How is my brother, going soft over there in his cushy home in the lonely mountain is he?"

"He is doing well, as fierce and strong as ever"

"Wonderful, wonderful" Gror's eyes settled on Sif who had remained stoic and silent just behind Thorin "And who is this beauty? Thorin have you taken a wife?"

"No definitely not, this is just my guard Sif"

Sif tried not to flinch at his comment, but extended her hand out to Gror "A woman guard, ha. What is this world coming too" Some of Gror's guards joined in with little snickers and sideways glances to each other. Gror reached over and took Sifs hand but rather than shaking it brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

Thorin noticed the looks in his great uncles eyes and those of his guards, roaming up and down Sif's body. Thorin couldn't explain why but a surge of anger went through him as they looked at her, he could see Sif's jaw clenched as she respectfully introduced herself to Gror. Thorin put himself between them breaking the lecherous stare of his great-uncle.

"She is an amazing fighter; she beat me on our first day of training."

Sif's jaw nearly hit the floor at Thorin's words; she quickly shut it again but could barely register the fact that the prince had just complimented her. He normally went around telling her how unnecessary she was. She shook her head and tried not to think about it and to keep from making eye contact with the men in Gror's guard trying to mouth jibes and invitations to her.

"Well that is quite impressive, but her beauty is wasted on guarding you Thorin. You would be much more appreciated in a different service to the palace royals I think" He winked and waggled his eyebrows at her.

"Uncle we have much to discuss so if you would lead the way"

"Ah yes come this way, Miss Sif you may follow my guardsmen down to the hall where they will be supping. I'm afraid I was not aware that a lady would be accompanying Thorin so no room was prepared. I hope you don't mind a cot in the barracks with the other guards"

Thorin held up a hand "I feel it would be best if she remained with me…"

"I'll be alright" Sif interjected not wanting to seem 'to prim' in front of Gror's guards; she would deal with the sleeping arrangements "A cot is fine"

So Thorin followed his uncle to the palace and Sif followed the other guards to the barracks, neither managed to catch site of the other's backwards glances as they went in opposite directions.

….

Later that evening after having eaten a cold meal and trying to avoid speaking to the other guards, Sif pulled out her bed roll and laid it on the cot she was given. It was hard and lumpy but Sif doubted she would sleep anyway. The hairs on her neck were standing on end and everything in her body was telling her not to trust any of the men here. So when the candles were put out she slept lightly and kept herself tucked tight together.

Sif was shocked out of her sleep by the feeling of a heavy body crushing down on top of hers, the force of which knocked the air out of her lungs and then a hairy large hand clamped down over her mouth. She reached for her sword but the bodies other hand grabbed her wrist and pinned it under her head. She tried to buck the weight of the man off of her but she couldn't get any leverage on the small cot. So Sif rolled from side to side tossing herself back and forth as the hand on her mouth clamped down harder trying to deprive her of oxygen. Finally one of the legs of the cot buckled and assailant and Sif went tumbling to the floor, her head connected sharply on the stone. Sif scrambled to grab her sword in the dark, but she grabbed what felt like a splintered piece of wood that must have come off the cot and she swung as hard as she could at where she assumed her attackers head to be. It connected sharply and the dwarf gave off a shrill cry that woke the barracks. Soon candles were being lit and the night watch came running in to investigate behind them were Thorin and Gror.

Thorin held his lantern high; he could see a damaged cot in the corner and a dwarf lying on his side with a nasty gash in his head, as he moved closer he saw huddled in the corner, Sif holding her broken cot leg ready to strike again at anything that came near her. There was a small cut at her temple and a red hand imprint around her lips. A fire raged to life in Thorin and he ran at the dwarf lying on the ground, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt.

"What happened here?" He demanded.

"It was nothing sir"

"It doesn't look like 'nothing' happened. Now tell me" He shook the dwarf hard and grabbed a dagger from his boot.

"I I I… was ju… just looking to have a little fun. I'm sorry your majesty"

"You're sorry, YOU'RE SORRY? Get out of my sight, you're lucky I'm not your king or you'd be flogged, hung, and your remains burnt. Although I may not have even had the chance had we not made it down here quickly or she" He knodded over to Sif "would have cut your throat out" With that Thorin let the dwarf fall back to the ground and he went over and held a hand out to Sif. She took it after a moment's hesitation, picking up her sword and armor she was escorted out by Thorin. He led her through the halls and back to the room he was staying in. He led her to sit on a chair by the fire while he grabbed a basin of water to clean her wound. He came back over to her to find her staring into the fire he reached up gingerly and touched her temple; she winced sharply and pulled away from him. He snapped his hand back and glared at the ground.

Sif thought he was mad at her; angry she wasn't able to defend herself better. She was still in shock from the attack and adrenaline was just beginning to settle in her blood, so she felt a wave of shame and insecurity wash over her. She began to ramble out excuses "I'm sorry I should have been more alert and more cautious, I won't be caught off guard again."

He stared at her bewildered "What? You don't need to apologize"

"I do sir; I know you think I'm not capable of being a guard. But I am, I can; and I know you're angry I didn't better defend myself. I know tonight did not show that I am a capable guard but despite what you think about my abilities what happened tonight won't happen again your highness I promise. I'll do better"

Thorin had never before felt so small and ashamed; he had never realized how arrogant and narrow-minded he was. Here he was appalled by Gror's guard's treatment of Sif when he had treated her with the same lack of respect as they had. He had refused to let himself be impressed by her skills, but now that he stared at her he realized how truly capable she was. She had protected herself as anyone would have in that situation nothing about it had been found lacking. He couldn't even begin to find an adequate apology so he grabbed his bed roll and began laying it out on the floor, when it was ready he crawled inside.

Sif looked at him weirdly still clutching her possessions "What are you doing?"

"Take the bed, you'll be comfier there"

"My lord really I can lay on the floor it won't bother me"

"You've been through enough tonight, just take the bed. It's the least I can offer you as an apology"

"You don't owe me an apology your highness, it wasn't your fault"

Thorin sighed and sat up "No not for this, I owe you an apology for all the times I thought so little of you. I didn't realize til I saw the way the men here treated you; that I have been treating you with the same condescension as they have. For that I apologize, you are a great warrior and you have earned your place amongst the guard. I let my pride get in the way of my better judgment and for that too I apologize."

Sif was stunned and sat blinking at him for a long while thinking she was probably still dreaming and would at any moment wake up again on a rough cot. Finally she regained her wits "Thank you, I appreciate it" With that Thorin laid back down and Sif went over and crawled into the bed. She felt as if a weight had been lifted from her as she slept.

Thorin watched Sif as she fell asleep noticing how her breathing calmed to an even steady pace, and he knew from that moment on that he held a new respect for her and no matter what he would never let another man hurt her ever again, especially himself.


So probably every chapter after this that I've already uploaded will have a few revisions