Young dwarf princess was on her journey for many days and she was the happiest person in whole Middle Earth. She was thankful for every orc which appeared in her way, because she loved fighting. She was thankful for every cold night, because it made her feel alive, which was the feeling she never experienced back at her home.

Melia was galloping through the wide plain enjoying wind brush hair in her face, when something caught her attention.

"This is not right," she mumbled for herself as she saw few orcs on wargs surrounding some people. They were trapped, getting nowhere to hide. The wave of anger ran through her as orcs started their attack. How much she hated those creatures. She stopped her pony and quickly but carefully released one arrow, hitting orc straight to the brow. She continued releasing bows and the attacked group found their courage to fight the orcs. Soon the ground was covered with dead bodies and Melia smiled satisfied, didn't notice the approaching group.

"Who are you?" she felt her stomach dropped as one of the people she just saved asked her firmly. Melia slowly turned around, thankfull the cape was hiding her face. She now saw they're some dwarves, one hobbit and an old wizard who asked her the question. "Show your face!"

Melia panicked, but knew she can't escape. She must tell them her name, which meant she must returned the palace. She bit her lip and slowly dropped the cape, making everyone gasped.

"A woman? Dwarf woman?"

"She is so young!"

"And beautiful!"

"What is a girl doing here?"

"Princess?" one voice made her finally looked up and she brought in laughter as she threw herself at her friend.

"What are you doing here?" Bofur asked her, his face held shock, but happiness at the same time. He pulled himself out of the hug, his expression soften as seeing crying princess.

"Princess Melia," one of the dwarves said making Melia's mouth dropped.

"What? How do you know Thorin?" Bofur asked frowning slightly as two dwarves stared at each other in shock.

"She was arranged to marry me," the leader of the company explained breaking the silence.

"I was only a child. But after Erebor fell, my parents cancelled the engagement," Melia said softly and bit her bottom lip.

"My name is Gandalf the Grey. Let me introduce our company. This is Bilbo, Balin, Dwalin, Fíli, Kíli, Nori, Ori, Dori, Oin, Glóin, Bombur, Bifur, and as you know, Bofur and Thorin," old man stepped in conversation making everyone thankful for breaking the awkward silence. As he named them he showed on every single person with his long finger and Melia could feel blush on her cheeks as one young attractive dwarf smiled at her wildly.

"And this is Melia, daughter of Mormek the king from the Old Mountains, and the heir to the throne," Bofur announced proudly only making princess mad. She sighed as everyone bowed, afraid to look her in the eye because of the manners.

"You must go back," Thorin said after a while. He, Bofur, Gandalf and Melia was standing in a small distance from all other companions.

"You cannot make me," Melia said quickly with a threat hidden in her voice.

"It is not safe for you here," Bofur agreed with his leader.

"As you could see, it was me who saved your asses back there!" princess pushed her index finger in his chest, not caring about her sofisticated language.

"I must agree with young princess. Her fighting skills are proved to be great," Gandalf pointed out while exhaling the smoke, making Melia shot him a thankful look.

"But I can't be responsible for her life out there. She is a princess, heir to the throne," Thorin gritted through his teeth.

"So you are. You are still a prince, even though your kingdom was destroyed. Isn't it the reason you're on this journey?" Melia asked him with a glare.

"How do yo..?"

"I am not stupid. Did you think the company of 13 dwarves, wizard and a hobbit will be unnoticed?"

"We are coming through the Old Mountains. You can go with us, but you may not follow us from there," the leader of the company said firmly before storming away.

"Glad you didn't marry him. It would be marriage full of arguments," Bofur laughed as Melia grinned at him, happy she at least didn't have to return home in that moment.