Hello All! I'm back with another new(and longer I swear) chapter. I hope you enjoy it and remeber... reviews make me type faster... =)

Chapter 7-

Dwalin gasped and stepped back from the apparition in front of him.

"You... you cannot be here,"he said. "You died on the battlefield. We held a ceremony for you...". Thorin stepped forward and put his hand on Dwalin's shoulder and gave a sad small smile.

"I'm sorry that I put you through that my friend. I was rescued by Lady Illea here," his other swung back and motioned to someone in the bushes. Dwalin's eyes narrowed as a black haired lady stepped out of the bushes and shyly took Thorin's proffered hand.

"I surely would have died without her care," continued Thorin, looking fondly up at Illea. Illea averted her gaze from Dwalin and looked at the ground.

"My lord flatters me," she said. "It was pure good fortune that I found Thorin wandering in the woods and was able to nurse him back to health." Dwalin gave a small nod and turned back to Thorin.

"It matters not to me how you came back old friend, only that you are back. Now, we must make for the mountain. Fili and Kili are nearly beside themselves with worry." Thorin nodded and struck out towards the distant mountain, with Illea following close behind. Dwalin frowned as he watched Illea walk away. He couldn't understand why, but there was something about the women that he didn't like. He gave a sigh, and began walking after the pair. As he left, an unnatural silence fell over the clearing where he had been waiting. Several minutes later, there was a rustling and crashing as the branches parted to reveal a white warg. The beast was huge, nearly 3 feet tall at the shoulder with long sharp claws that dug into the ground. Jarth came and stood at the creatures head and rested a hand on its shoulder.

"Patience, my old friend," he said as he surveyed the marks that his mistress had left behind, "patience. You and your pack will soon have your fill of dwarf blood." So saying, he and the warg set off at a run towards the Lonely Mountain.

Fili and Kili rushed down the halls of the city, barely keeping Bofur's hat in view through the crowd that had gathered. They burst out into the courtyard, nearly running into Bofur's back.

"Bofur," cried Fili. "What is it, what is happening?!" Bofur laughed and turned to Fili with tears in his eyes.

"Over there lad! Go see, it's surely a miracle!" Fili and Kili turned to see what Bofur was pointing at. There was a cluster of dwarves including, Fili saw with some dismay, some of the council member he was trying to avoid. They soon pushed their way threw the crowd and stopped. Standing in front of them was Thorin. His head was turned as he talked to a lady at his side, but there was no mistaking him.

"Uncle!" they cried in unison and ran towards him. Thorin turned and saw his nephews just in time to brace himself for the impact of two bodies hitting him. Even so, he was born to the ground with their combined weight, but he didn't care. He was home and had his nephews in his arms. They stayed on the ground for several moments before any of them spoke.

"Where were you?" said Fili finally, breaking the moment. "We looked everywhere for you uncle, I swear, but we could find no trace."

"Oh Fili, don't blame yourself. I was well taken care of," said Thorin giving his nephew another small squeeze. "But, I am being remiss. Lads, please meet the lady to whom I owe my life, the Lady Illea." Illea stepped forward and managed a small curtsy.

"I am glad to meet you my lords. Thorin has told me so much about you over the past weeks." Fili and Kili greeted her cordially and then turned back to Thorin. Ever since they had seen him, Illea observed, they had hardly left his side. She could not have picked a better pressure point to break Thorin than his precious nephews.

Well, well? What did you think? Let me know and also let me know what suspicions you have about the plot.

Thorinsgirl900