Naya and Thorin walked into a party already roaring at full steam. (It never took dwarves long to get there. If you were 15 minutes late, you were already behind in the game.) Thorin took her around the room, naming each dwarf as they approached just in case she did not know the name. She remembered some of them from her cottage, mainly Bofur, Balin , Fili and Kili. The others had made very brief visits, so she was glad to be able to remind herself who was who. Of course, there were so many! It was going to take awhile to keep them all straight. The only one she had not met previously was a dwarf named Gloin. For some reason, he barely looked at her, barely bent his head and moved quickly away.

After several hours of dwarf banqueting, she quietly slipped out for a peaceful moment. Was she sure she wanted to travel with this gang of delinquents? She had witnessed a food fight, beer jugging, and loud obnoxious behavior at every turn. She sighed and sat under a tree.

"Having second thoughts?" said Gandalf, joining her on the bench.

"Well, not really, but they are a bit much to take as a large group. I had no idea they behaved so badly. Thank goodness Thorin seems to rise above it all. Or at least he is tonight."

"I don't think you have to worry about Thorin's behavior. Being part of the royal family, he was held to a higher standard. I have never seen him lose control or stoop to ribald jokes the way so many of them do."

"Royal family? Thorin comes from a royal family?"

"I thought you knew. Thorin is the heir to the throne of Erebor, King Under the Mountain. Why do you think he has undertaken this quest?" Gandalf explained.

Naya answered, "I thought it was mostly a big treasure hunt. You know, mountain full of gold, slay the dragon. We really have had very little time to actually talk. I've spent three days sleeping for the most part. It's amazing we have made the connection that we have."

"Well, he is the heir. He hopes to regain his throne someday. The rest is also true, if a little more refined than you put it. And I do believe his feelings for you are very real. Like Balin, I have never seen him happier or even happy for that matter."

"Do you think he really cares for me? I thought heirs needed little heirs to follow in their footsteps. I cannot imagine dwarves would look kindly on their king cavorting with a shape shifter. Maybe I should just stay here. At least I know what my world is here." Naya was having second thoughts. Royalty? Thorin might end up a king?

"Now Naya, is that what your spirit tells you? You are an unexpected player, I will admit, but I think you have an important part to play, now that you have entered onto the stage. And besides, Thorin is intent on having Fili and Kili as his heirs. Even if he married a dwarf, he would never cut them out of the succession." Gandalf was again worried that his nicely laid plan was going to fall apart.

"My heart tells me that staying here is a dead end. That I should go, even if it is not with the company. I have tried to leave for the last few years, but the world grows more dangerous. Too dangerous for me to travel it alone. At the very least , with the dwarves, I know I won't be bored."

"Very little chance of that," chuckled Gandalf.

"You want me to go very badly. Why?" She looked intently at his face. He tried to avoid her eyes but was unsuccessful. "You're leaving them, aren't you? You're the one who got this moving and now you're leaving them! How can you do that? Do they even know?"

Gandalf looked ashamed. "I did not intend to leave when this all started. I received news that I must investigate. That is why I am so glad that you will join them. They need someone outside of the group to guide them at times. Even Thorin. Especially Thorin. He can be stubborn and pigheaded. And no, they do not know. I briefly mentioned it, but it was not definite at the time. Please don't say anything. It is better that they find out at the moment of parting."

"Hmmm, even more incentive for me to think about this twice. What have I gotten myself into? Stupid heart, stupid healing, stupid me. Next time I run across a handsome stranger in need, I am running in the other direction and not looking back!"

"I certainly hope not, the world would be a poorer place. I am counting on you Valinaya Beorning. Your father says you are capable of great things, many which would surprise even me." Gandalf knew she thought he was joking, but after what he had seen over the last three days, he truly believed she was going to be a great asset.

...

Gloin watched the creature (as he thought of her) leave the dining hall. Edging over to a slightly tipsy Thorin, he said, "Is she really coming with us, that healer person?"

Thorin smiled at him happily, "Most definitely, Gloin my friend. She is coming with me." He pointed at his chest. "She chose me!"

"But she is not a dwarf. She's one of these skin changing shape shifters! Your grandfather would be appalled!"

"Well, since good old Thror lost his head awhile ago, I am not going to concern myself with him! She makes me happy and that is all that matters." He tossed back the last of his beer. "Play nice with my new friend, Gloin, play nice." Gloin knew there was a veiled threat behind those words, even if Thorin was slightly drunk.

...

Naya reentered the party looking for Thorin. He was sitting with Balin and Bilbo. As she approached, she looked oddly at Bilbo. He had not ever been assigned to visit her cottage, so she had only met him very briefly. Now, something about him bothered her. A sense of discomfort. He seemed harmless and the dwarves all liked him as far as she could tell. And he had saved Thorin's life even before she did. She pushed it to the back of her mind. It was probably due to all the changes faced during this very odd day.

She had a hard time looking at Balin. She remembered more about the morning events then she let on. Most of it, really. Some was a bit vague, but she could not forget him hurting her and accusing her of false actions. He could not meet her eyes either. Good. They could ignore each other for now. She would try to talk to him another time.

"Thorin, I'm tired. I think I will return to the cottage and go to bed. Please stay and enjoy your party. I believe I am truly healed and can manage the walk back on my own. You are the host, you should stay."

"Nonsense, I can come with you."

"I'll go with her," Balin said.

Uh oh, what did this mean? This could get awkward. Then again, maybe we need to have this out in the open. It will never get any easier. "I really can go by myself," she protested.

"No, I will be happy to cede the duty to Balin, and I don't want you out alone. You are still recovering whether you will admit it or not. Do you wish me to join you later?" he asked, hopefully.

"If you grow bored with your party, but don't come on my account," she flirted. With that, she turned and walked out, Balin following.

"I have to say again how sorry I am for hurting you. I think I have been a little crazy these last days, not realizing Thorin was so badly injured. I blame myself. I should have known. I took it out on you." Balin grabbed her hand (more gently than that morning). "Can you ever forgive me?"

"Balin, of course I can forgive you. I see how you are with him. The whole company loves him, don't they?"

"He is the glue that holds us together. We will follow him to our deaths if necessary. He has been loyal and true over all these years. It is now our turn to return the favor." Balin stated proudly.

"Just so you know, I only now found out who he is. I didn't realize he could become a king."

"I know. I talked with Gandalf earlier. I told him I thought you should join us on…."

Naya interrupted him, "Wait, it was your idea that I should come? Why? I didn't think you even liked me."

"Well, it is obvious that you make Thorin happy. And you are most definitely a fine healer. And after your 'advice' this morning, I have to believe you could be of great benefit to the company. How did you know about Moria?" Balin asked.

"I don't know about Moria. What is it? What did I say?" she did not remember this part.

"You told me not to go to Moria, that I would die. You were fairly convincing. I have never mentioned that dark dream to anyone, but you pulled it out of my head with just a touch of my hand. I can't help but wonder what else you are capable of doing."

Valinaya smiled and continued walking.

...

By the time Thorin returned to the cottage, Naya was sound asleep. He looked down at her. How had he gotten so lucky? Survived a battle with Azog and gotten the girl! He slowly removed his boots and coat. Perhaps he had had a few too many pints for one evening. His head was spinning. Was it the beer or the woman in the bed or both? He lay down next to her. Her scent was more intoxicating than the beer. He leaned over and kissed her shoulder. Then her neck. Then her face, her lips. She finally moved slightly. He kissed her full on the mouth. Her lips parted just a bit and he pressed against them. He pulled her close to his chest.

"Thorin, is that you?" She muttered sleepily.

For an answer, he kissed her even more deeply. She let out a tiny moan. He ran his tongue along her lips and she opened her mouth. The beer gave him more courage than usual, and he pushed into her mouth. Her tongue met his and now it was his turn to moan. He began to run his hand over her body. Over her arm and then her breast. He was feeling sensations throughout his body that he had never imagined possible. His grip on her tightened as he kissed her even more firmly. He buried his head in her neck, biting her.

Naya became aware slowly when Thorin began kissing her. At first, it was pleasant, but then she began to sense a change in him. She fought to awaken. Something, she was not sure what, was not right. The kisses were pleasant but as they progressed they developed an intensity that made her uncomfortable. When he began to run his hands down her body, she jolted wide awake. "Thorin! Stop! What are you doing?"

His befuddled brain registered her complaint, but it could not really figure out what the matter was. "Kissing you like you ordered me to. Discovering just how nice you are. Don't you like me anymore?"

Once she was awake she could smell and taste the beer on him. "Not like this, I don't. What possessed you to come to me drunk and maul me? Get out!"

"But Naya, you invited me to come to you."

"Not drunk and not like this. I will see you in the morning. Go away."

Her sharp words and tone seemed to sober him. "I…I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. Please forgive me!" His pleading tone softened her response.

"We're moving too fast. I think it's probably the beer. After talking to Gandalf and Balin, Thorin, I realize how little we really know about each other. How could I miss that you are to be King of Erebor? Probably something I should have been aware of. "

"That 's important to you?" he asked.

"No, it just shows how little we know about each other. And here you are, pushing for far more intimacy than I am ready for. And you too, if you weren't drunk. I think we need to step back and assess where this is going. Now I am having second thoughts about even going with your company!"

"Naya, no, please don't say that. I'm more than a little drunk. Please…I will do anything, just don't quit the company. I will never touch you again if that's what it takes!" he pleaded.

Her stomach turned over at his words. "Oh, Thorin, don't say that! It's just that you startled me so. Why don't we pretend all this never happened. Go back to the Lodge for the night. We can talk about it in the morning."

He gathered his things. Without saying another word, he walked out the door. He didn't see the tears that fell after he left.

What was she going to do? How had this night ever even happened? Did they ruin what they had? How was she going to face Thorin in the morning? Naya's brain was racing in circles. Should she go? Should she stay? What would happen with Thorin? It was driving her crazy. She did something she had not done in a long time. She shifted and raced into the woods.

It felt good to be out like this. She had resisted it for so long. The power she felt, the way her senses expanded. Her mind became more elemental. It had far less worries now than before. Perhaps this was the answer. Maybe she would just go wild and never go back!

Dun dun dun...(ominous music) will she or won't she?