Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own the Hobbit, that honor goes to the wonderful J.R.R Tolkien.

Matters of Importance

Dinner was as it had always been with a room full of dwarves. Loud, cheerful and full of laughter and ale. Simila could not deny she had been enjoying herself, even with laughing looks Gimli kept sending her way every time Fili and Kili did something she determined was not very out of character where she was concerned. His words never left her mind though. I know why. Simila certainly didn't, and though she told herself not to be too concerned, she was. She had been dealing with the Ili's antics since she was a dwarfling. To her it was normal. Gimli seemed to believe there was something more to it all. No, not believe. He knew, and no matter how many times Simila tried to force it from her mind she simply couldn't. It both annoyed and angered her that he would say something like that and not speak any further on it. In the end she decided not to let her ire spoil the evening, and drowned it down with her favorite drink. After all they were there for something of far greater importance.

An importance that not even she could have guessed.

It did not take long after dinner for Thorin to demand the attention of those around, but once he did he held their attention. He spoke of his journey to Dunland and explained how his father had been spotted wandering the wilds. He found nothing of Thrain, however, and had began his journey back to the Blue Mountains. It had been on his way back that he had stopped at Bree for the night, and there he had met someone he had least expected. Gandalf the Grey. "He urged me to march upon Erebor. He would have me rally the seven armies of the dwarves to destroy the dragon and take back our home."

Simila could feel the tension in the room, as well as Fili, Kili and Gimli's growing excitement. She herself could understand their feelings, Simila would not deny she felt the same. For years they had spent their childhood playing this day out in their games. How many times had they joined each other in the solitude of an unused cavern and spent hours slaying Smaug? How many times had they battled orcs and goblins just to get a glimpse of the Lonely Mountain that they had been told stories of since they were young? How many times had she seen the longing in her father and uncles eyes? The same longing she had witnessed in so many other dwarves in the Blue Mountain. So many that Simila could not longer remember them all. Unconsciously she found herself meeting eyes with Fili, Kili and Gimli's around the table, and knew she was not alone in her thoughts.

"The seven armies oaths lie with the one who holds the Arkenstone," Balin said then, drawing her attention back to the conversation at hand. "Our only hope of taking back Erebor lies with that, and it has been-"

"Stolen by Smaug," Thorin gave her uncle a grim smile. "I had said the very same to Gandalf. He offered his assistance in reclaiming it."

Murmurs filled the room then, but soon it escalated to an argument that Simila did not even bother to follow. Her mind was occupied with an argument of her own. She could not say she knew much of this Gandalf the Grey. Sure, she had heard stories, but not much else, and if she was to be honest she had never really paid much attention to them. Now he was offering his help in taking back Erebor, which was more than any other had ever offered them. Simila could not help but think there was more to it than that, but looking at Thorin she could tell he trusted him. As much as he could, that is, and that was enough for her.

"And how does he intend to do that?" She found herself calling over the shouting of the other dwarves. Silence filled the room as eyes once more found their way to Thorin, who nodded at her gratefully.

His answer was not what Simila had expected.

"A burglar."

"Dori's brother Nori has been known to hold quite the... talent in such things," Gloin commented. "He would be suitable for the task."

Simila found herself agreeing. Though Nori's thieving habits were frowned upon, Simila could not deny he was quite the sneak. As a matter of fact it had been him that helped her master the art after finding her hiding from Fili and Kili on the side of his house. He taught her how to keep her steps silent and manipulate her surrounding to best suite her needs. If anyone could steal the Arkenstone right out from under a dragon it was him.

"Smaug has been living in Erebor. He will know the scent of a dwarf," Thorin replied.

Or not.

"Who, then, if not Nori? Or a dwarf for that matter," Her uncle questioned, a frown marring his face. Several faces around the table seemed to mirror his confusion. Simila did not doubt she did as well.

"I had left it for Master Gandalf to decide," was Thorin's response. "He had someone in mind, but I need to know I will not be alone in this venture-"His blue eyes seemed to scan over them, intense and inquiring"- I cannot guarantee your safety, nor can I promise you your lives. What I can promise is the chance to take back what is ours; to right the wrongs that have been visited upon our people, and restore our home to its former glory." With each word he spoke Simila watched his face mirror the same passion his voice held; strong and full of certainty. And as the others around her once more picked up their raucous responses, it was then Simila knew she would follow him gladly.

No longer than an hour later Simila found herself sitting alone before the hearth, her mind racing with the nights events, as well as her own worries. There was little doubt there would be danger on such a journey, but Simila had never been one to falter under such circumstances. Her worries lie with her father, and rather or not he would permit her to go. Her skill with an axe was not going to sway him in letting his daughter journey with them; he would never allow her to put her life in any form of risk. Nor would of the others, she was sure. And it all came down to the fact she was one of the rare females born to the dwarrow. Something to be protected and cherished.

She hated it.

Simila had never enjoyed being treated like some fragile doll that could break at the slightest touch. That was one of the reasons why she had worked so hard to gain the reputation that she held. She did not back down, even when she knew the challenge would be too much, because she had always loved testing her limits.

"You seem troubled." A form dropped into the chair on to her left, and Simila glanced over to meet Fili's blue eyes. Eyes that looked darker in the fire light of the hearth, and held none of the mirth that was usually present. His brow was furrowed, and a slight frown was on his mouth. This was not the playful Fili that she had known her whole life. This was the Fili that appeared when he knew something serious was at hand. Solemn and thoughtful, just as his uncle.

"So are you," Simila replied after a moment of silence, her gaze turning to the flames flickering in the hearth. "We both know the danger this venture implies. We both are still willing to go. I do not think my father would allow it though."

"You will find your way, I don't doubt that. Your too stubborn to stay behind."

Simila could not help but laugh at that. He wasn't wrong there. She was more likely to end up following behind them without permission than remain in the Blue Mountains where she would know nothing of their whereabouts and health. It would drive her to insanity if she did.

"And there would be no force strong enough to keep you and Kili from going," She commented. "Though I doubt they would try. Your are the Heirs of Durin. You will one day be the king. Thorin would not make you stay."

"You will go with us," He said then, certainty in his words. "We had spent our years as dwarflings awaiting this moment. I will sneak you out myself if I must." Simila looked back at him upon hearing his promise, and saw that he once more held that mischievous grin he always seemed to wear. She could not help but return it with one of her own. It felt good to know that she was not alone in this, and knew that Fili would keep his word if things did not go as she planned.

With her mind at ease Simila settled into her seat more comfortably. She was still sore, she realized then. It had been so far out of her mind that she did not even realize it until then. Her arms ached, as did her back. And the side of her face, where she knew the bruise was. Her hand went up to inspect the area where she knew her skin had split. It was tender to the touch, and she did not doubt that it would scar. She did not mind. She already had plenty of scars. Some from training, others from accidents around the forge. She only held two that came from battle; memoirs etched into skin.

It had been the first time her father had allowed her to venture out of the mountain. They had been traveling to a nearby village for trade with a company of five, including her father and herself. Simila remembered being filled with wonder having never seen anything past the entrance of the mountain, and would occasionally pause to commit scenery and certain things to memory. She had been positively taken by it all, but that all changed upon reaching the village. It had been an abhorrent place to behold. The structures had succumbed to disrepair, the wood rotted and some even falling to pieces. She had wondered how anyone managed to live there, but soon learned that the people appeared even worse off. Dirty and clearly under fed, they were nothing but skin and bones with rotting teeth and a stench that made her want to cover her nose. Whatever sympathy she had held had quickly been dismissed once they began treating them with scorn and contempt. Simila had been glad once their business had been complete, but that gladness had soon been dashed when they had been set upon by brigands.

Having been caught of guard, one of them had managed to sink the blade of their sword into her shoulder before she could draw her axes, and even now she could recall the pain. She had thrown herself away and managed to pull out one axe. It had pained her too much to move her injured side. It would be much later that she learned the blade had sunk through. Simila had managed to pull through, though, and brought the man to his knees by a well place aim to the leg, finishing it off by bringing her axe down on his head.

The second scar came from an orc she encountered while hunting with Kili, a grotesque creature with yellowed eyes and sharp teeth and a form that was so horribly contorted she had wondered how it even stood. It had came down upon her quickly, jumping at her with a horrid yell, dagger drawn and already headed for the kill. She had blocked the strike with her arm, and the blade broke through flesh, tearing her arm open from wrist to her inner arm. Her own dagger, the very one that had been the first thing she had forged, found its way through the creatures neck. It was shortly after that Kili found her, saw her wounded, and put an arrow in the orc. "Just for good measure," he had said.

"Gimli said something interesting," Simila found herself saying. "'I know why', to be precise. What did he mean? He was referring to the way you and Kili have been acting as of late."

"I haven't the slightest idea as to what you are speaking of, sweet Simila."

"I think you do." She turned her head to look at him, frowning. His eyes were closed, but he wore that grin. The one that yelled "I'm up to something." Shuffling caught her attention from the dinning hall, and she knew their guests were leaving. And so did Fili. He jumped to his feet and gave a smile.

"Don't concern yourself, Simila. You will know in due time, my sweet. You need not but wait."

And then he was gone.

A/N: A considerably shorter chapter than its previous ones, but necessary. Now I can well and truly get the storyline underway :D Yayyy! The next update my take a while because I want to get a good few chapter typed up so it won't take as long to post in the future, plus I have been quite busy lately :/ As always, I thank those who reviewed, added to your favs, or followed. And I apologize for any mistakes made, this is self edited.

Please review and tell me what you think(: