Hello! I have to apologize for the delay, but whenever I tried writing the words didn't come to me =/ I really hope you like this chapter! For now it's all merry and all, but as soon the quest starts, the peace ends!

I want to thank you for those who started following and who favorited, thank you!

I must give another thank you to my dear reviewers: xxxMadameMysteryxxx, BloodyTink, FiliandKili'sGirl18 and anonymous guest. thank you!

Note: English is not my first language.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, only my OC characters. The rights go to Tolkien, Rowling and Peter Jackson.

Chapter 10

After having dinner with her uncles, Thorín, Dís, Fíli and Kíli, Katrin returned to Thorin's private library to take care of the mercenaries that still were on hamster form. She had left the table but was followed by Thorin's nephews who seemed too happy to escort her.

"Lady Katrin, why did you leave our company at the table? Your uncle Dwalin was getting more talkative with the wine, soon enough he would start telling stories about his adventurous with uncle Thorin, before Smaug took Erebor" said Fili with a smirk on with lips.

"Because…I must return my prisoners to their original state" Fili and Kili frowned their foreheads.

"What prisoners? What do you mean?" at that moment, they entered the room and Katrin took her wand out of her leather holster. "What is that stick?" Kili seemed curious and suspicious.

"This little think?" with a sneer Katrin took a silver button from her sachet and with her wand, transformed it into a little transparent box with a little door. She grabbed the hamsters and put them on the new box; they were trembling on her hands. She really felt like a bad person. The Durin's brothers were just in silence, observing with their mouths opened. Behind her, Balin, Dwalin and Thorin had entered to see what she was doing and why she had left them at the table. Thorin was the only one to realize what she was doing.

With a movement of her wand, Katrin enlarged the box until it had two meters of height and three meters of width. She had previously seen that the room was big enough to accomplish her idea. Next, one by one, with her wand, Katrin returned the mercenaries to their original human bodies. Luckily, she was very good at transfiguration, otherwise that could had gone very bad for those men. They were crawled on the box floor, still trembling from the experience, speechless.

"That was…Who are they?" Balin asked with apprehension. Dwalin exchanged a look with Thorin, who had already told him about the men that tried to kill him.

"Assassins that tried to kill Thorin on the road".

"And they almost managed to do so, if I wasn't accompanied by this powerful witch" Thorin explained "We must take them to the dungeons and interrogate them, now".

"You're a witch? But how's that even possible? How is…" Dwalin cut Kili's questioning with a strong glare. The men had stand from the floor and were staring at Katrin with a scared look.

"You're an evil witch! Nobody told us that the filthy dwarf had an evil sorceress guarding him" with those words, Katrin felt terrible for what she had done to them, but they tried to kill Thorin and if she hadn't intervene, he would most certainly be dead.

"Watch your tongue, scumbag" Dwalin growled with anger, tightening his fists.

"Shut up or I swear I'll turn you again forever" Katrin threatened and raised her wand again, making ropes tying the men arms and hands. Fili was feeling quite impressed by Dwalin and Balin's niece, never did he thought to meet a witch. He had learned and heard of legends talking of wizards, but never seen something like what Katrin was doing. She was truly an enchantress with her wand and her long braided red hair. At his side, Kili seemed hypnotized by her. Fili poked his brother's arm.

"That was a good idea" Balin praised her with a proud smile.

Next, Dwalin took the men through the box door, putting them against an empty wall. Katrin transformed the box again, turning it to the beautiful silver button.

"Who are you and who sent you?" Thorin asked with his thunder voice. "Speak!".

"How fancy this dwarf's hole is, look boss" whispered one of the men, while pretending not to hear anything that Thorin asked. Dwalin grabbed the said man by his neck whilst holding a dagger against his neck. Fili and Kili did the same with two other men.

"Answer the question, human filth" Dwalin made a cut on the neck of the man, not caring if he would die; maybe if he did, the others would be more convinced to talk. "Must I cut your neck to make you speak?".

"We don't know" the older and bald man started "we just saw the announcement, offering 1'000 gold coins for Oakenshield's head, dead or alive". Balin gazed at the man, analyzing his expression, trying to see if he was lying.

"That's a lot of gold! And it didn't occur to you to ask who made the offer?".

"We're bounty hunters, we don't make a lot of questions, we just do what is necessary to gain the gold".

"You're not bounty hunters, you are mercenaries!" Thorin exclaimed feeling very angry with those men. "You have no honor! Maybe I should ask the witch to turn you into worms for not telling the whole truth". Katrin was surprised by Thorin's threat.

"We are telling the truth, we swear!" and with that, the leader of the gang kneeled "I beg you, mercy!". Katrin rolled her eyes and sighted.

"Rest assured, I won't turn you into a worm, that would be pathetic even for you" she pitied them, even though they tried to kill Thorin.

"Katrin!" Thorin mumbled and she shook her head.

"We told you everything, we swear" one of the men pleaded.

"Oh, cut the act" Dwalin spat the words. "Let's take them into the dungeons, tomorrow they will talk, or I'll make them". Fili smirked.

Minutes later, they took the men to the cellars on the dungeons. Individual cellars to each one of the bandits. The guards were extremely surprised when they saw the men as they hadn't been informed about receiving criminals. Thorin gave orders in a strong voice and made the group return to his study room. He would continue with the questioning on the next morning, with Dwalin and Balin's help.

On their return, Fili and Kili, being the curious creatures they were, didn't stop shooting questions at Katrin who just smiled and answered shyly. Balin, Dwalin and Thorin walked behind, while discussing about the mercenaries. Thorin told them about his meeting with Gandalf the grey wizard and how he had met Katrin.

"Reclaiming our land, Erebor…our mountain" Balin's voice shuddered with conviction and emotion from the thought. Dwalin listened meditating about Thorin's news. Now the presence of all those emissaries from the various dwarfs realms, made sense. Daín Ironfoot would arrive in the next days, it was a fortunate encounter. Mahal blessing with no doubt!

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That night, Katrin sleep in a room near Dís quarters. It wasn't acceptable that a young and single lady, had a room adjacent to the men, even if they were her family; it wasn't proper. She had finally met her father's brother's and they did welcome her. Dís had promised to show her the castle, so she was excited for the next morning.

It was late already, but Katrin managed to unpack all of her things and rearrange the room with all her belongings. Soon, her clothes were inside the wardrobe, while her family portraits were on a bureau table. On one corner of the room, was a little door that lead to a small bathroom with a toilet. That had been a wonderful surprise. The dwarfs were much more advanced than she had imagined. In front of the window, there was a big wood tube for bathing.

Before sleeping, Katrin talked with her mother who was very happy to know that they had arrived at the Blue Mountains. She told her about her uncles and promised to show them to the mirror.

Before falling asleep Katrin thought that Thorin didn't had the opportunity to answer her question regarding his health. Despite having healed his fatal wounds and injuries, the organs would still be fragile, and she was naturally worried. On the next morning, she would have to check if his wounds were indeed better. Maybe she should give him more vitalizing potions just to make sure.

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That night, Thorin dreamed about the pale orc and Erebor. It was the most terrifying dream and at the same time, ridiculous as Azog, the defiler had been defeated and was dead by now. He couldn't be alive; he just couldn't be, because if he was then they wouldn't be safe. But that was merely a nightmare and nothing more. That was what Thorin told himself.

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"So tell me, is this an appropriate dress for wearing?" Katrin asked Dís before breakfast. Thorin's sister had visited her on early morning to see how Katrin had spent the night. She already knew about her powers, her sons made sure to tell her all about it. She looked around the room and saw the difference on the decoration, it was completely altered.

"Yes, that dress is more than proper, but later we'll go to the dressmaker and then she can take your measurements and make you new clothes. I'm not saying that your clothes are bad, on the contrary, they are very beautiful and at the same time they don't quite seem like dwarfish creation, maybe more human or elven. But of course it won't be a problem if you use them" Dís explained with a motherly smile as seeing Katrin's distressed face. "And your hair, you should ask your uncles to give you your family's braid".

"I'll be very thankful if that happens" Dís smiled "I've never heard of those, I'll ask my uncles about that".

"You should, it's a very honorable thing for a dwarf to carry his clan braid. It's highly respectable. A dwarf or dwarven maiden without a braid representing his or her family, it's a disgrace, a dishonor. Only a very few dwarfs don't have a family braid, and it's normally for the worst of reasons".

"Thank you for the explanation. I always thought that my gather's braids were special but he never told me about them" Katrin confessed with a sad smile.

"Thorin told me about your mother being a human and a witch…and I can tell you that I can imagine how hard it must have been for your father, to not tell you about his heritage. It must have been very difficult for him" Dís tried to comfort her.

"You know…you look just like your brother Thorin but with less beard…and I'm sorry for saying this, but you are nicer" Dís gave a loud laugh that echoed through the room.

"Yes, my brother isn't so approachable, I dare to say" Katrin giggled with the way Dís talked "But you see, I'm a mother, and that changes everything. If he was married and had his own children then certainly he would be more patient" Dís said while winking her left eye. That answered her question about Thorin's civil status, he wasn't married. Katrin couldn't help but smiled from the corner of her lips…not that she was interested, merely curious, she told herself.

"You seem happy…" Dis stated.

"No, it's just during the time we were traveling together, your brother didn't disclose that information and I was genuinely very curious, nothing more" Katrin assured.

"Well, maybe you should ask him about that yourself" another wink, but this time Katrin blushed.

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"So, did you like your room?" Balin asked when Katrin seated on the table with the other dwarfs. This time, they were on a much bigger room hall, much like the one at Hogwarts, which put a smile on her face. "I must confess that I'm still feeling like I'm dreaming about this whole story of having a niece, who's a witch" Balin giggled.

"Well, then I must tell you that I'm very real!" on that moment Thorin entered the hall in the company of a group of dwarfs, one of them was Dwalin who seemed grumpy. Fili and Kili suddenly took a seat at her side, while giving broad and mischievous smiles. Lady Dis was at a corner of the room, talking with several dwarven maiden; they all seemed very excited and distressed at the same time.

"It's because of the fair, they are like jumping ponies because of the festivities of the fair" Fili explained, making Katrin look away from Lady Dis's group. "They are all looking for marriage" Kili winked at one of the dwarven girls, but she gave him a cold glare. "I told you Kee, you must have more beard, try to do something special with your beard, let it grow more". Kili shook his head in a negative response.

"Oh, that was…cold. More beard? But he looks perfectly fine the way he is" Katrin gave her opinion and Kili smiled, but not mischievously. Fili laughed but quickly stopped.

"I believe you were the first dwarven maiden to say that, to our young prince" Balin gave a kind smile. Katrin felt a warm inside her heart, when she heard her uncle referring to her as a dwarven maiden. Kili had his cheeks red but was still smiling; at that moment Katrin knew they would be good friends.

"Lady Katrin is too kind with me".

"Oh no, that's not true. You forget that I am without a beard!" the four laughed loudly, gaining several stares.

"Uncle Balin, lady Dís told me about some braids…she told me that I should ask you about our family braid, but maybe it's not that importance because my mother isn't a dwarf so…".

"That makes it even more urgent for you to have our family's braid" Balin argued suddenly. "You have to understand: lady Dis didn't just casually told you about that. A dwarf without his family braid is nothing and without a home to represent him, so because your mother it's human, that makes it even more important that you have our braid, that way you'll be protected by our clan, our family, and it'll mean that you belong with the dwarfs from Erebor" Balin explained and Katrin felt some emotion upon hearing him. "For a dwarf, having your family's braid, it's like having his beard, but even more important, it's a matter of honor and identity. A dwarf without his clan's braid is almost homeless, because his braid is a sign of his family, his home and his wealth. The braid means that he dwarf has someone and someplace to come back to, that is even more important after a battle. That's why, dwarfs have more than one braid to represent him, there are all kind of braids and which one of them represents different things in his life".

"Thank you for the explanation, now I see things more clearly. I understand" Balin smiled with proud.

"I'll make some beads especially for you and after that, Dwalin and I, will give you your braids. It's also a way so the other dwarfs will know, that you are part of our family" Balin patted her shoulder.

"Thank you uncle" Katrin smiled again, feeling lucky with the family she found at the Blue Mountains.

"But for now, I want you to tell me more about you, my niece. What do you do in this magical world of yours?" Kili and Fili turned to her in curiosity. At the same time, Thorin and Dwalin seated on an empty spot between at Balin's side. It seemed they didn't have breakfast yet.

"Oh great, you are here! Our nice was about to tell us more about her world and what she did in there" Dwalin and Thorin looked at her with curiosity while serving their plates with plenty of food.

"Oh…yes. I'm an auror, which means I'm a guardian of the security of the magical world. I hunt criminals and put them in jail. I also protect witches and wizards when is needed…" Katrin was interrupted by her uncle Dwalin.

"Do you know how to use a sword or another kind of weapon?" Dwalin seemed anxious waiting for her reply.

"No, a witch only needs her wand to defend herself against the adversities" Katrin knew they wouldn't like her answer, but said it with proud.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll personally teach you how to use a sword and other kind of weapons. Dwarven maidens all know how to defend themselves" Dwalin gave an arrogant smile.

"I…Maybe it's not necessary, I have my wand, I know how to apparate and…"

"What? No, starting tomorrow I'll teach you the art of using a sword. This is not open to discussion" Balin chuckled and Thorin laughed loudly, catching the attention of some dwarven maidens who giggled. Fili and Kili seemed amused by what was happening.

"But I…".

"And, the quest of Erebor, you'll go with us" Dwalin whispered that sentence, afraid outsiders would hear him. "I'm not leaving my only niece behind with these dwarfs! End of discussions!" Katrin didn't knew what to answer, so she only nodded her head. "Continue with your story" this time, her uncle smiled.

"So, that's my profession, I'm an auror".

"That sounds amazing! And did you fight darks wizards?" Kili asked with a glee smile.

"Indeed I have, that's part of my job and.." Fili interrupted this time.

"So you must know a lot of spells!" Dwalin gave them an angry glare for interrupting his niece.

"Yes, and every day I study and practice several spells and do transfiguration exercises. Some wizards and witches are even able to transform into an animal." This time, Thorin stopped eating and stared in silence at her. "Oh no, I can't transform into an animal, I'm not an animagus, I'm afraid of not being able to go back to this human form…I know it may seem like a weakness but…".

"That's not weakness, it's being precautious and safe" Thorin told her with his grave voice.

"Well, you may say that but…but it is a kind of weakness" her uncles, Thorin and his nephews, all shook their head in disagreement. "What can I tell you more?".

"Tell us about Ravenclaws and those stuff you're talking with your mother" Thorin asked.

"You know her mother?" Fili demanded with a mischievous grin.

"Yes, he knows" Katrin didn't gave Thorin a chance to reply. "Ok, to explain you about Ravenclaws, I must tell you about Hogwarts, the school for witches and wizards, the school where I studied. There, the students are judged by their character and sent to one of the four houses, which were created by the founders of Hogwarts. During the seven years, the houses will be as a family, and which one of them represents different ideals. They are: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor" Katrin paused to see if they were understanding everything. Balin was listening with delight in his face, while Dwalin seemed concentrated in the information. Kili and Fili had their eyes full of curiosity; whilst Thorin was watching her with his attentive blue eyes "You know what? Let's join tonight after dinner, and I'll explain all about Hogwarts with the things I've brought from my land. What do you think?" her uncle Dwalin was the first to nod in agreement, while Fili and Kili showed disappointment on their faces, like a children who lost their toy.

"Deal, but I we want to know everything" Balin said with a smirk "I want to know how was Brandin's life in there, where did he live" Katrin nodded her head and smiled.

"It's better this way. I have a lot to attend today, because I've been too many days way from here. There's much to be done. Dwalin and Balin, I ask you to come with me." Thorin finished his drink and looked at his nephews "Fili and Kili, show the castle and the city to Katrin and I beg you, behave, I don't want you causing a ruckus like the last time!" Kili and Fili pretended offense but then agreed.

"Let's go, my lady" both Kili and Fili stood with a comical bow and pushed Katrin with them, leaving the hall. Dwalin locked his attentive eyes on the trio. Balin thought the company would be good for the princes, who needed someone closer to their age; at least he thought she must have a human age equivalent.

Thorin also observed them from afar and how entertained they looked together. Something inside growled with anger. He then turned to his most loyal friends to continue with their previous discussion about their quest to reclaim Erebor.

"Did Dain arrive yet?" Thorin asked with impatience.

"No, but he'll come, he said he's going to bring his two daughters with him" Balin answered.

"Do you think they'll join us on our quest?" Dwalin ate another bread with cheese while talking.

"We can only pray to Mahal that they do" Thorin sighed and rested his forehead against his fist. "This is a very dangerous quest, even for us. Who do you think will come?".

"Last night, I haven't slept thinking about this whole plan" Balin started with a serious and worried face "But I believe, that Glóin, Óin, Bombur, Bofur, Bifur, Ori, Nori and Dori, will aid us. This is also their cause".

"Aye, and what it's the plan?" Dwalin demanded to know.

"We are going to enter the mountain in secret to steal the Arkenstone, Gandalf already told me that he'll get us a professional burglar for the task." Thorin then turned to Dwalin "Are you sure about taking your niece with us? I was wondering about the same, she'll be a great help to us".

"We are sure; we don't want to leave her behind. But we only made that decision after realizing that she's a powerful witch" Balin explained. "It's not a usual thing to bring a precious dwarven maiden to a quest like this, but she's not ordinary. I believe it's a sign". Balin smiled.

"Yes, and I would suggest you to take your nephews with us, it would made them good, as they would be forced to confront the reality beyond Bree land. Although I don't know if lady Dís would agree" Dwalin gave his opinion.

"You're right, but part of me disagrees. They are my only heirs, what if something happens and they…" Thorin couldn't finish the phrase, it was too horrible to say it. He agreed it would be a good experience for them, but he had a lot of concern. What if something happened to them on the road? There would be probably more mercenaries after him, he couldn't risk their lives, but at the same time it was their right to reclaim Erebor, their homeland. Thorin knew that if he left them behind, they would be devastated for not participating on the quest.

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After a few hours, Fili and Kili were showing the city to Katrin, who was intrigued and amazed by the architecture. They had already shown her the ways inside the castle, including the mines, which she found fascinating. Now, they were walking by the streets full of fair stands and a crowd of dwarfs and carriages. The fair stands were placed in street more protect from the falling snow, thanks to the construction of the buildings. In three days, it would be the first night of the fair games, and Fili told her that there would be a ball in mid-March to closure that year fair. He and Kili, seemed very excited about the idea of participating in both the competitions and the ball itself, after all, dwarfs were also merry and loved songs and parties, alongside good food and drinks. Only among other races they would be more serious and reserved. On their tour through the castle and the city streets, Thorin's nephews, explained a lot about dwarfish culture, a knowledge that Katrin happily welcomed.

"So, did you know that there are even braids for courting, engagement, and marriage?" Kili started pointing to a pair of dwarves that were holding hands with a smile. "Of course, it's always the same braid but with different beads, or at certain point one would have too many braids" the two brothers laughed hard and loud "For example, Fili's mustache braids, they have a meaning" Kili winked his eye making Katrin blush a little.

"Oh and what is the meaning?"

"That's a secret, you see, there are a lot of braids that carry a secret meaning and only a few know. In my case, I dare you to guess that!" Fili said with a playful note and a smirk.

"I accept that challenge!"

"But Katrin, let's drop the "lady" when we are only the three of us, give us the juicy information" Kili demanded with another wink. They were too flirtatious, it was starting to get a little uncomfortable, but she concluded that maybe that was their personality.

"What do you mean?".

"Have you left a lover behind? How old are you? Which one of us is more handsome? Actually forget that one, obviously I'm more good looking than him" Kili punched his brother in the shoulder "Ouch, I mean, you're almost as good as I am!" another punch, making Katrin laugh.

"You two are a treat! Well, why don't you try guessing?" it was Katrin's turn to smirk. They had stopped in front of a stand full of jewelry. Katrin loved jewelry, some friends didn't understand why. Her father always told her that was a normal thing for a dwarf and that she shouldn't worry. "So beautiful" her eyes were looked in a silver neckless with little green emeralds and a bigger one at the center. Fili and Kili exchanged an accomplice look.

"Ok, we accept the challenge, but let's move from this stand" they pushed her to another stand which was selling portraits.

"Well, I don't see a ring, or any kind of jewel of engagement or anything of sort, so I would dare to say that you're a single maiden. Did I guess?" Kili asked with an anxious expression.

"I dare to say that you're right" Kili made a little celebration.

"So I should be the one to try to guess your age. Looking well at you…I would say you look like 80, a little younger than me" Fili tried, leaving Katrin with her eyes wide open.

"What? 80? No! I'm 27, what you've said it's absurd, you look like you're 30 and Kili looks my age, how can you say you're 80?" Katrin was shocked.

"You're a baby!" Kili was the one who was even more surprised while Fili laughed. "I'm almost 80!".

"Little brother, you forget that her mother is human, she's not a baby" Fili winked once again, making her burst inside.

"Oh stop winking at me! One could think you mean flirting!" the Durin's brothers laughed very loud, making some dwarfs looking at them with suspicion.

"I'm sorry, Katrin" Kili said still laughing "It's just that you're so easy to explode, it's too tempting for us" they continue laughing.

"And what if I was being serious and was indeed flirting?" Fili stopped with a serious voice, making Katrin's face became red and her heart beat faster.

"Well…you shouldn't do that often as a joke then, dwarven maiden may be misled by your constant flirtatious tone" Katrin defended in a lecture voice.

"Don't worry Katrin, the day he becomes interested in a maiden, he'll stop the act and be the serious dwarf he really is" Kili said with a smile, gaining a punch in his back.

"I'm more relieved now" Katrin murmured while observing a dwarf drawing on a little bench.

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Before nightfall, everyone had gone back into the castle to rest before dinner. It had been a good day for Katrin as know she knew more about her father, than she ever thought before. She believed that she would be good friends of Thorin's nephews; they were very nice, playful and had a good heart. They told her about their father and how he died many years ago, when they were still infants and how Thorin had been like a father for all those years. Despite his grumpy and serious appearance, Thorin was a very decent person, Katrin concluded with a smile to herself.

Suddenly she remembered his wounds and made a mental note to ask about them when they were alone. The question was: when would that be? Maybe if she learned where his room was located she could knock on his door…

So that was chapter 10! Let me know your thoughts about it, reviews are highly appreciated =)

ps: I hope you weren't bored with all the dialogues...

Nice Egan

xxx