I'm so sorry this took so long. To those of you still with me, thank you! Enjoy this. I think I finally got past my writers block and I know where this is going to go now. I didn't realize that writing his story was going to be so hard! lol

Chapter 4

The next day, he opted for stopping just before he got to the town of Bree, and made his transformation into human in the safety of the woods. He didn't feel like drawing too much attention. Being a prince would give him enough problems. Thane was excited to see the town. His father and Aragorn had told him of it, and for someone like Thane, he'd enjoy this place. The gates were open, and from the looks of it, the guards no longer patrolled as they used to. Times of peace had given them the freedom to finally relax.

Adjusting the cloak he had on his shoulders, he glanced at his bag, and checked to make sure he had everything. Walking forward, he decided to explore the small town. There were still guards among the people, but he assumed it was in much smaller numbers than before. The Prancing Pony, a place Aragorn had told him of was still open, the sign swaying in the wind. He decided to go there, and grab something to eat. People always talked at taverns, and he liked conversation.

Walking in, he went to the bar and grabbed the attention of a barmaid. She seemed a little overwhelmed with the customers, but she walked over with a smile.

"What do you have for lunch?" he asked, tilting his head.

"We got some fresh cheese, fruit and bread," she offered.

"Sure, give me that, and an ale," he nodded.

She poured him the drink and slid it forward after taking the coins he offered. Taking a sip of his ale, he sighed. Erebor's was much better, but this was tolerable. A few people at the bar glanced his way, obviously having never seen him before, but he paid them no mind.

"Heard there have been some issues around here."

Hearing the conversation, Thane tilted his head a little. He took another drink of his ale, and thanked the barmaid when she came back with his food. He ate in silence, while listening to the conversation going on a few men down from him.

"Livestock has gone missing. Yesterday someone stole Hal's coins right off him."

"Seriously? That happened to me a few days ago! Have the guards done anything?"

"They can't catch whoever it is. Then again, I'm sure they have not tried."

"Ever since the wars ended, they have gone soft."

Thane finished his ale, and quickly finished the rest of his meal. Getting to his feet, he walked over to the men who were having the conversation. Putting his arms around them, he leaned forward in between them both. It startled both men, and he gave a closed mouth smile.

"Where does this thievery usually happen?" he asked, glancing at them.

"Usually here, when it comes to coins," one of the men said, giving him a sly look. "Who are you?"

"Someone that the thief will undeniably want to rob," Thane chuckled. "I have more coin than I care to admit."

"Who are you?" the other demanded. "We've never seen you before."

"I am Prince Thane, of Erebor," he rumbled lowly. "But please, keep it quiet."

"Thorin Oakenshield's son!?" they hissed in shock.

"That I am. I am traveling for business. Now, when does it usually happen?" Thane replied, getting back to the point.

"Well, they come through here between now and dinner. It's crowded, it's easy."

"Excellent! You gentlemen have been truly helpful. Miss, two ales for these men, and a pitcher for me!" Thane called out, and he was answered immediately.

Taking his pitcher and mug from the maid, he walked away to his own table. It drew the attention of many people, especially when his 'friends' couldn't keep their mouths shut. They were apparently more ales in than he had thought.

"That's the dwarf Prince of Erebor! The one who fought alongside King Aragorn!"

Almost instantly, several men came to join him and bringing their pitchers over and shaking his hand and greeting him. He smiled at them unable to help it. He loved being around people, and this would probably aid him in his efforts to find the thief. He had nothing else better to do anyway. He'd visit the Shire another day.

"Tell us, were you really there with King Aragorn!"

"Aye, I was there," he nodded. "Vastly out numbered as well."

"What was it like?"

Thane leaned forward a little and took a drink of his ale. He loved to tell stories, so he launched into that day. It had also been a bad one, because he had fought Arina. He carefully left that out, instead making it a dramatic retelling. He drank with the men and told them of that day, and of the battle that was fought right outside Erebor's gates. It made him grin, because they were all hearing it for the first time. Telling it to someone who had never heard it before was much better.

In exchange, he found one of the men had come from Rohan, and knew Akira through name only. He was present at the battle for Gondor, and told him about the fight that took place there. Arina had never told him, so he was fascinated about it. It had been one of the biggest gathering of men in their history. They spent a good few hours on stories, and by then, more people had crowded in to see what was going on.

"I stuck my sword right in this Orc, and it wouldn't come out," a man laughed. "It was dead obviously, but every time I went to pull the sword out the body twitched. Sent all the men near me into a frenzy. I had to leave the sword behind, it had buried itself into a bone."

"Such an unplesant thing to leave a weapon behind!" Thane boomed, laughing. "A cousin of mine had a habit of either setting things on fire, or figuring out what could do the utmost damage to the surrounding area. He was usually good at both."

The men around him boomed with laughter, and as he took another drink, he felt it. The light tugging of strings. It was easy how most men wouldn't notice, because they weren't paying attention, but he had been. He turned quickly, grabbing the hand that had made its way to his coin purse. It held all of his money, which was more than most men had on them. What he wasn't expecting was to see who had been doing the stealing. Everyone fell silent when he had moved, and a low murmur had gone through the crowd.

He met the furious green eyed gaze of a small woman. She was just a little shorter than him, with long hair that was the darkest of brown. She wore a cloak, and the hood had fallen from her head when Thane had grabbed her wrist.

"I imagine you are used to getting away," he mused, and she glared at him.

"Who said I wasn't?" she asked, her voice floating over his ears.

Going to chuckle, it turned into a grunt of pain when she kneed him between the legs. He cursed in his own language, going through every word he could think of. She made a run for it, disappearing through the crowd.

"Men, it was great to spend the day with you all," he said, once he got his breath back.

He tore after her, and ran out into the streets. Not having time to shove everything into his pack, he tracked her the old way, using his nose and sight. He saw her bolting for the woods, so he chuckled and ran after her.

"Speedy little thing," he grunted, leaving the town.

Once he was in the safety of the woods, it was much easier to catch up with her. He managed to cut her off just off the main path, swinging out from behind a large tree. Catching the woman around her waist, he held on as she kicked and cursed him.

"Easy now, lass," he grunted, holding onto her. "You've made many people angry here in this town, and I'd like to know exactly why you're doing it."

She slammed the heel of her boot into his knee making him release her. He laughed, managing to mask the pain and she turned around to look at him. From the looks of it, she had every intention of taking him on, and he smirked at her.

"I'm a Prince, one who is highly trained," he warned. "I know you still managed to slip away with my coins, and I'd like them back."

Eyeing the bag in her hand, he watched as her expression changed. A moment later, she reluctantly handed it back to him. He weighed it in his hand, and then arched his brow.

"All of it."

Sighing crossly, she handed him the ten coins she had taken out of it. He put everything back, and tied it to his belt tightly. She watched him carefully, and he responded with doing the same.

"So, what's a pretty woman such as yourself doing, stealing from these people?" he asked, arching his brow.

"You're a prince, you don't understand what it's like," she hissed. "Not being able to buy things for yourself. Not having anything."

"I may not, but I know people who did know," he replied. "So please, just because of what I am, do not assume I do not know what hardship is."

"Royal people usually don't," she replied.

"The dwarves of Erebor know exactly what hardship is. Plus, we do not expect things, we work for them."

"You don't look like a dwarf. You're too tall," she said, her voice calming.

"I'm half dwarf," he replied. "And half, human I guess. My mother is not a dwarf."

"The Queen?"

"Aye. Now, what is your name?" Thane answered. "I'll tell you mine."

"Funny," she replied.

"I am Thane, at your service," he introduced himself, giving a slight bow.

She eyed him warily for a long moment, and he waited for her to either run or answer. She kept her expression guarded, so he was unsure as to what she was going to do. He waited patiently, and slowly he saw her shoulders relax.

"I'm Kailani," she said slowly. "Kai for short."

"That's a lovely name, very different. It suits you," he mused, and he saw the slight blush of her cheeks. "Now, care to tell me why you are stealing for a living?"

"Isn't it obvious?" she asked lowly.

"Well, yes but I'm curious," he mused.

"The war killed my parents," she said quietly. "My father in battle, and my mother had been taken and murdered in front of me."

"I'm so sorry," he answered, his heart reaching out to her.

"I lost everything," she muttered. "Bandits came through and burned my home. So, here I am."

"That's...an awful and short story," Thane answered slowly.

"Apologies. I guess I'm not gifted in story telling like you are," she replied flatly, making him laugh.

"It's a talent among dwarves. Guess I was stuck with that," he shrugged.

"I didn't realize dwarves had any talents. They're known for hoarding gold and…."

"I take great offense to that, miss," Thane huffed. "If anything, we do not. I may only be half dwarf, but my father overcame that sickness."

Kailani took a large breath, one that was intended to calm down. He noted that and watched as she looked down for a few moments. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, something that had become normal for him.

"I'm sorry," she finally spoke. "I'm not used to people being nice to me."

"There is a first time for everything," he chuckled. "I'm heading toward the Shire, would you like to join me? You look like you could use a shower and some good food. I know someone who is quite the cook."

Her eyebrow arched, and he saw the suspicion creep back into her gaze. This was a woman who had lived several years on her own, stealing what she needed to survive. To offer her a different path was probably startling.

"If those men catch you stealing again, there is no telling what they might do," he offered, tilting his head back toward Bree. "It might be best if you leave."

"And go where?" she demanded.

"Well, for starters, you can travel with me. I am on an adventure you could say. Having company would be nice."

She blinked in surprise again, and he shrugged his shoulders. Turning on his heel, he glanced toward the town again and set forward. Once he was back on the path, he could head for the Shire. He had met the hobbits at Aragorn's crowning, and Sam was now mayor of the Shire. He was a good cook, and pleasant company. He had said he'd visit.