"Always out of sight, always in different places."

Months had past since their first meeting, winter was well into its season. Thorin and Vali had kept their agreement of meeting one another during the nights in secret, but they came in gaps of lapsing time. A few days, a few weeks. They could never manage to plan it perfectly. Yet they always managed to find each other when they needed, but only in their time of need, though neither were aware it was their time of need. They merely believed they'd been sneaky enough to escape the guards.

Thorin rounded the corner of the empty hall. There were few times he ever venture so high into the mountain. Always down he ventured, 'twas where the work commenced. The past few meetings with Vali had been located nearer toward the surfaces of the mountain, but she was not the sole person to chose. He found himself choosing points near as well. It was almost as if something was calling him to each place, but he could not explain it.

"You're late." came her voice.

Thorin turned toward the dark hall turn off. Vali was waiting for him in the shadows, dressed in a yellow silk dressing gown and robe. Her hair was finely braided and hung over her shoulders. Even in the dim lighting, Thorin could make out the mischievous glint in her eyes. He returned the gaze with a smirk of his own. "I was unaware we were limited with time."

At his words, Vali smiled. "I do believe you're lying, Thorin. And very badly I might add."

"And what good would it do me to lie?" he asked.

"To deny that the fault of missing tonight would be yours." came her reply. Vali held her smirk. "Come on." she turned down the hall and led the way.

As she began her walk through the hall, her hands lowered from her body. His eyes fell to her hands. He noticed the wrapping around her left hand. Gingerly, he reached for her wrist and stopped her. "What is this?"

Vali scoffed with embarrassment. "A slight accident in training. Nothing that won't heal within a few days."

"I'm sure your mother is glad you're putting her lessons to good use." he said.

Vali drew her wrist from his grasp. "She'd rather I practice on others than myself."

"I'm certain she does." Thorin smiled.

There was nothing to the hall itself. No chambers that broke off, or second halls. Merely a tunnel that seemed to have a pointless purpose within the mountains. Yet Vali moved swiftly through the tunnel with great intention on her mind. Thorin kept pace with her as she led him down the empty hall.

Vali came to a stop at the end of the tunnel. She walked to the wall and placed her hand atop. She turned her head to Thorin. "Ready?"

Thorin could only nod.

Vali pushed against the wall, pushing in a small section. The wall sunk inside and was slowly slid to the side, revealing a secret passage. Growing up, Thorin had known of their possible existence and had used a few that he had knowledge of. But this passage was one of which he had no knowledge of the existence. Thorin was greeting by the cold sting of the winter air rushing into the mountain. Vali quickly entered the tunnel. Thorin followed after her, if only after a hesitations pause.

"Where does this passage lead?" he asked.

"Out onto the mountain itself. I believe its half the mountains height." Vali answered.

Why are you taking us out in the midst of winter?"

Vali tossed Thorin a glance over her shoulder. "You'll soon see."

Vali gave no more answers and Thorin asked no more questions. As odd as it felt and seemed, Vali had yet to guide them into danger or failed to get them out of such. She had Thorin's complete trust, for only having known him a few months. Vali led the way with complete certainty and security. Thorin suspected this was far from her first venture through the passage. The passage slowly began to open out into the mountain. The wind grew stronger, chilling Thorin. They came out of the passage, looking out over the city of Dale. The city was only visibly through the clouded moonlight, illuminating the silhouettes of the homes and shops. snow dusted the earth and homes.

"Dale." Thorin said, though not completely understanding their venture.

Vali nodded and looked to the sky. "Only another moment. Just watch."

Thorin turned his head toward the sky. The full moon broke free from the clouds hold. Its bright glow burst through the darkness, casting tis light upon the snow-covered earth. Thorin watched as Dale suddenly became aglow in the night. Moonlight glistened off the glow laden ground and homes. The entire city was shimmering as if it were magic. Thorin was lost in awe of its beauty. So rarely was he able to enjoy such things, often he found them trivial. Yet as he stood on the mountain, overlooking the city, he found the sight far more enjoyable than that of the mines within the mountain.

"So much time is spent within the walls of the mountain, few every truly understand the treasures that come from outside its walls." Vali whispered from Thorin's side.

"The do not what real treasure is." he responded. "I did not know." he turned to Vali. She stood by his side, her arms wrapped around her body. She was rigid, fighting back the cold. In the moment of awe, he'd forgotten all about the cold, as he was well protected. But Vali had nothing more than her gown and thin robe that offered no protection for her. Thorin slid his cloak from his body and draped it over Vali's trembling shoulder's.

Vali turned, surprised by the action and weight of the cloak. "I'm alright."

Thorin held her gaze. "Whom seems to be lying now? you're trembling Vali."

"And what of you?"

"I am better suited for here than yourself." he replied.

Vali sighed in defeat. Satisfied she would do nothing to endanger her heath, Thorin turned his gaze to the glowing city. "Has the thought crossed your mind before?"

"Which thought?"

"The thought of departing from the mountain." he answered.

Vali nodded slowly. "A few times, yes. And yourself?"

The lights of Dale dimmed as the moon was once more captured by the clouds. Thorin's gaze remained upon the city until the last of the lights had faded away into darkness.

"Not till this night." Thorin answered. "I have yet to venture out of the mountain with no intention of returning."

"Speaking of returning, we'd best go back inside." she said.

The ventured back into the mountain in silence. Vali once more took the lead, with Thorin only a step behind her. The trip seemed to pass within a blink of an eye, returning them to the warmth of the mountain. Vali sealed the passage behind them and drew the cloak from her shoulder's. She returned it to Thorin's grasp.

"How did you come to find this?" Thorin asked.

Vali smiled bashfully. "As a child, I used to wander these empty halls. At one trip, I leaned into the wall, falling to the passage by mistake."

Thorin chuckled. "So, where should we meet next?"

"Tis your choice."

Thorin nodded. "Then, perhaps the eastern corridor by the mines. The guards do not patrol there until nearly dawn."

"Your memories of the guards schedules amuses me so." Vali joked.

Thorin smiled and bowed. "Until next time, Vali."

Vali returned the bow. "Goodnight Thorin."

not sure how I feel about this one either but whatever.