Chapter 4

She was smart; Thorin would give her that much. He had not planned to watch the outspoken dwarf maiden with her recruits at all; at least, not until she had suddenly appeared in front of his rooms, confused and embarrassed and even more lovely than he thought possible.

He did not know why he had suddenly felt the need to impress her conspicuousness to her, to force her to note her own beauty. He had always noticed dwarf dams, but had never done more than note their presence and connections.

And then, to his surprise, Canna did not take his words as an overture or even as a compliment, but as an insult, nay, a threat! Thorin would have thought she was being coy, if not for the fire in her eyes. It had almost made him laugh.

He had only gone to the training grounds the next morning to see if she could make him laugh again. She did not.

Watching Canna quickly defeat each recruit within a minute, with no flair or glibness, he felt the first small spark of respect grudgingly take hold of him.

Of course, she ruined that when she said, "I'm good, aren't I?"

Balin was wise to take her away quickly. And Fili and Kili had quickly followed after them. Dwalin strode up to him. "Well, Thorin? How long were you watching?"

"Long enough."

"And?"

"She is…adequate. For now."

Dwalin chuckled and rolled his eyes, slapping the king's shoulder affectionately. "Ay, Thorin, you'll never concede, will you? I trained her myself, at one time. She's a good lass."

Balin had returned, without Canna. "Thorin, don't forget that Dain wishes to speak with you today. He will arrive here from the Iron Hills soon."

"Have rooms been readied for him and his company?" Thorin inquired.

"Yes, yes."

"What do you suppose he's coming for?" asked Dwalin.

Balin shrugged. "Perhaps he's here to check on what few of his men are left in the healing wing. They are all healed well enough now to return to their home."

"Is that all?" Thorin was suspicious.

With a sigh, the white-bearded dwarf shook his head. "These are only guesses on my part, Thorin. But I should tell you that there has been talk of strengthening the connection between Erebor and the Iron Hills."

Dwalin scoffed. "Strengthening the bond? Dain is our king's cousin, and he risked himself for our sakes! You do not get a stronger bond than that!"

"Yes, you do," Thorin rumbled, "by marriage."

The three friends remained silent until Thorin spun around and left the training grounds. With a look at his brother, Balin turned and followed his king.

Dain and his entourage arrived in time for the midday meal. Dain and Thorin fondly embraced each other on site – politics aside, they were kin first, as well as comrades in battle.

"What brings you here, cousin?" said Thorin.

"Do I really need a reason to come see my cousin?" was his loud reply. Everything Dain did was loud. It was as endearing as it was infuriating at times.

With their added guests, the midday meal was even more boisterous than normal. While Balin took his usual seat, Canna did not sit with him. In fact, as Thorin subtly searched the crowd for a familiar pale face and glossy black hair, he did not see Canna anywhere. He thought to question Fili and Kili, but Dain sat between them, and after his conversation with Balin and Dwalin, he did not want to bring up any dwarf maiden, even an inconsequential one.

Dain and Thorin spoke of many things at the midday meal, but nothing that could indicate Dain's real reason for traveling to Erebor.

So when the meal was finished, and Balin suggested they speak in Thorin's private quarters, all were surprised when Dain suggested that they speak in the library instead.

Surely he is not here to read, Thorin thought with a smile.

Dain and Thorin headed the group. Thorin looked behind him for a quick head count, only to see Kili and Fili whispering to themselves and looking uneasy. Seeing his gaze on them, they suddenly volunteered to travel ahead of the group and clear the library of people.

"Oy, that ain't necessary, ladies!" Dain bellowed merrily. "They'll clear out fast enough when they see our pretty faces, won't they?"

Everyone laughed, but Kili and Fili only fidgeted more. Thorin questioned them with his eyes. Kili moved forward to whisper something in his ear, but before he could, Dain had pulled Thorin into a brotherly side embrace. Whatever Kili and Fili had to say was lost. Thorin squashed the burgeoning feeling of uneasiness.

At least they reached the library. Some of it had been destroyed in fire, but a miraculously large portion of it remained untouched, preserving the history of Erebor. Thorin threw open the large doors and welcomed his guests inside.

The torches were already lit, bathing the library in light. Thorin led the company deeper into the library and was just telling them to sit in nearby chairs when out of the corner of his eye he potted a flash of pale skin. There, standing in the corner of the library and contentedly reading a book, was Canna.

This maiden will be the death of me. "I want the library cleared of all visitors!" Thorin roared.

Apparently ignorant of their presence, Canna's amber eyes jolted to his, before quickly surveying his company. Her eyes widened at the sight of Dain before she ducked her head and placed the book on the shelf and walked past them, to the library's entrance.

"Forgive me," she murmured with a soft smile to the company, before slipping out.

It seemed that the entire company were held breathless in her presence, for a minute after she had left, there was still silence.

As expected, Dain was the first to regain his voice. "That dam…who is she?"

"Canna, the daughter of an old friend of mine," Balin responded. "She's visiting Erebor as my guest."

"Daughter, eh? Is her father anyone I'd know?"

"I doubt it, my lord," the old dwarf said with a diplomatic smile. "Now, on to–"

"Are you sure she's a dwarf, and not some mixed breed?" Dain wondered.

"She is no mixed breed." Thorin was surprised to find that these were his words, and reflected on the irritation he felt. Had he not also asked the same question once? Perhaps that was why.

"Anyways," he continued irascibly, "she is of no consequence. Tell me why you have come all this way."

Dain stood to his feet. "Well, first I came to take back my men! I hear they are well healed."

"Yes, my lord, all except one, who will need to stay a bit longer," said Balin. "Is that all?"

"Of course it isn't!" Dain walked closer to where Thorin stood. "Thorin, now may not be the time for this, but soon you must think of marriage."

"And why should I?" Thorin bristled. "I already have heirs; Fili and Kili are as much my sons as any children I sired would be. I have no wish to take the throne away from them, especially after all they have done for me. I have no need to sire another bloodline."

Fili and Kili puffed their chests out in pride, and walked to stand on either side of their beloved uncle.

Dain threw his hands into the air. "Fine then! Even if you have no need to sire heirs, Erebor still needs a queen. It will strengthen your position, and take some of the pressure off of you, cousin. Don't you think I understand the position you are in, rebuilding your kingdom? If you pick well, your queen should be able to handle some of your responsibilities, Thorin. Consider it."

"And I suppose I am to choose from the dwarven nobility?" Thorin scoffed. "I have all the connections I need. I have you, cousin, and any other region that wishes to share in our newfound prosperity. I have no need to barter a wife in exchange for future aid."

Dain stomped his foot. "Ay, Thorin, I see war hasn't made you any less stubborn! Fine, if you do not desire heirs or connections, still get a wife. If you do not seek one in the nobility, then at least choose one that will limit your burden. I speak to you from love, cousin, and from my own experiences. Choose well. Whether she is a nobledam or not, I will support your decision. Just consider it."

The conversation was quickly wearing down Thorin's patience, so in an effort to end the dialogue, Thorin nodded his head and promised to consider it, before quickly ushering everyone out of the library. However, Dain stopped everyone and turned to Balin. "Why do you lot think I asked to meet in the library? There was something I have been looking for, that I hope is in your library."

Balin promised to search for whatever it was himself, after they visited the healing wing.

And so it was that Thorin ended the subject of marriage with Dain Ironfoot…for the time being.

"That dwarf dam," Dain began on their way to the healing wing, "there's something familiar about her…Not her, of course, I'm sure I would remember a maiden like her…but someone like her, maybe…oy, never mind. I'm sure my men will be eager to see their families, so if it's no trouble we'd like quarters for the night, and we'll be leaving on the morrow, cousin."

Thorin was just about to reply when Bombur came running up to them, huffing and puffing. "Thorin, there's trouble on the north passage! Someone's fallen!"

Thank you so much for those reviews! I wasn't planning on finishing this chapter until tomorrow, but those reviews really pushed me to finish this early!