Chapter 10

It was a beautiful sunny day, and the ride had been easy for both of us. I smiled as I came up on the hill that over looked the Blue Mountains. Pulling my horse to a stop I took a big breath. It had been seven years since I had been here, and I had missed it more than ever. The thought of it had my lips pressing together because I was sure this was the last time I'd ever see it. Lord Elrond of Rivendell had informed me a few weeks ago that the last of my kind had been taken and that I was instructed to go into hiding. I had some time left, and I had quickly packed my things and now found myself looking over the mountain that now belonged to Thorin Oakenshield. King Thorin if someone wanted to correct me.

"You must not tell anyone of what you must do. It will protect them, and you," Lord Elrond had said. "I'm sorry that it has come to this, Arina. But you must do this. You must survive."

Blinking away the memory, I turned my horse to face the mountain and pushed her into a trot. She followed the path that led down toward the mountain at an easy pace. Since the battle of Moria almost thirty years ago, I had been coming back here once every five or so years. I hadn't gone into detail why I couldn't stay, but I had told Thorin that it was important that I didn't get too comfortable. While he had never agreed with it, he had never stopped me. They had made a fine home in the mountains, and were experts at making weapons and other materials.

It was a good life for them here, better than it had been when Erebor had reached the end of her days. As I neared the guard posts, two dwarves came down from their lookouts and stopped me before I could go any further. I pulled my horse to a stop and smiled at them when they looked up at me. One of them in particular suddenly grinned back at me, his large red beard moving in the wind.

"By my beard lass!" he boomed, coming forward. "It has been too long!"

"Gloin," I laughed, reaching down to hold his hand and squeezing it. "It is so good to see you."

"Aye and you!" he beamed back at me. "Don't let us stop you, go ahead! Welcome, welcome back to the Blue Mountains!"

Laughing, I nodded and when they moved out of my way I cued the mare to canter forward. She picked up the pace as we neared the mountain and I let her go until I had to pull her to a stop. She slid to a neat halt and dust flew up around us as I hopped off her back and patted her. A dwarf came forward to take her from me after I grabbed my packs, and I gave him a few coins for his efforts. As he led her away, a new dwarf came forward, and this one I recognized easily.

"You shaved your head since the last time I saw you," I grinned, as Dwalin came forward. "And you are sporting some new ink."

"Aye, glad you noticed," he snorted as he came up to me. "It is very good to see you again. You stayed away longer than usual."

Smiling wide, I reached up to hug him tightly. His deep chuckle sounded against my ear and it made me smile again, unable to wipe the expression from my face. When he parted from me, he held my shoulders.

"Well let me look at ya!" he grinned. "Your hair has gotten longer since we last met, and darker. Are you sure you aren't shorter?"

"I'm not shrinking you brute," I said sourly, as he threw his head back with a laugh.

"Come then, let's take you to the King," he laughed, taking my packs from me.

I felt my stomach flip in excitement at the offer, and I took his arm when he offered and we walked into the depths of the mountain. It was nothing like Erebor, but it was still beautiful. The stone arches always amazed me, along with all other work that they had done. He walked me into a large room that branched off the throne room. It had once been Thror's throne, and since his death Thorin had refused to sit upon it. In the room there were several chairs and tables, and one table was covered in parchments and several dwarves were surrounding it. I saw Balin and Bofur among them which made me smile. I had not seen Bofur in many years, since he had been traveling the last time I had been here.

Dwalin cleared his throat loudly as he set my bags carefully on the ground and all the dwarves at the table turned to see what the disruption was about. As they turned, they parted slightly so that one dwarf had a clear view. He had long black hair with a short beard that he kept well groomed. I found myself smiling, even though he hadn't looked up yet. Thorin lifted his head briefly before glancing back down at his papers again. His head suddenly shot back up when he realized who was with his war master and a smile lit up his face.

"Arina," he said, beaming as he straightened up.

"Should I bow and greet you formally?" I grinned back as he came around the table.

His laugh was a sound I had missed as he walked over. I met him half way and wrapped my arms around him in a hug that had me struggling for breath as usual. Thorin lifted me off my feet and swung me in a circle which in turn had me laughing. When he set me down again, I held onto his shoulders to keep my balance.

"You look wonderful," he smiled, looking me over. "I assume you have been staying out of trouble?"

"Mmmm," I pursed my lips at the statement. "As much as you could expect."

Thorin's blue eyes lit up in amusement at my answer. "Is that why you have been away so long?"

"It's a good possibility," I teased, making him smile.

Thorin drew me into another hug, and I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my face against his chest. When he parted from me, he instantly turned us so that I could greet everyone at the table. Balin hugged me tightly when he came over, and he was still as polite as ever. Bofur almost knocked me over when he came rushing over to hug me. I laughed at that, and managed to keep us both on our feet.

"It's been twelve years, you haven't changed at all!" he grinned.

"That's your fault it's been so long," I replied. "You weren't here last time."

"Aye, I wasn't," he chuckled, and he moved back to the table.

Thorin smiled from my side, and then turned us both back toward Dwalin who was leaning against the wall.

"Go with Dwalin," he nodded. "He'll take you to Dis. I will join you shortly. I have a few things to wrap up."

"Private King business," I rolled my eyes at Dwalin, who smirked.

Thorin snorted at me as Dwalin picked up my bags again and waited for me to join him. Turning my body, Thorin grabbed my face and our foreheads touched firmly making me smile.

"It is good to see you again," he murmured.

"And you," I smiled.

When he backed away, I turned to follow Dwalin out of the room and down a few familiar sets of halls before we found ourselves at Dis's door. He knocked lightly on it and we only had to wait a moment before someone opened the door. Dis turned her head and smiled at Dwalin.

"Dwalin," she smiled. "What brings you here?"

"I am dropping off someone to you. She's going to be in your care for a while," Dwalin replied. "Best feed the poor lass, I'm sure she's starving."

"Wh..."

Her concerned melted into one of pure joy when I popped out from behind the warrior. Dwalin quickly stepped aside as I was pulled into yet another tight embrace. She yanked me inside the three bedroom home, making me laugh.

"Your packs are right here, Arina," Dwalin said with a nod. "I'll see you at supper."

"Thank you so much, Dwalin," I smiled.

He nodded his head toward me, and a small lift of his lips lit his face for a moment before he shut the door. Dis dragged me in to the kitchen and promptly sat me down on a stool as she busied herself with making some tea.

"How are you?" she asked, when she turned around with two cups.

"I am well," I replied, taking one from her with a nod. "And you?"

"Been doing well," she smiled. "It's been so peaceful. Everything is going really well. Where did you go this time?"

I took a drink of my tea and sighed softly at her question. "All over the world. I was in Rivendell for some time, and then I even got to spend some time in Lorien. That was a wonderful privilege."

"I bet it was. I've heard stories of that forest," Dis smiled sitting down. "It's told to be more splendid then Rivendell."

"It is," I nodded. "I learned much there, and in Rivendell. They are some of the safest places for me. Powerful magic surrounds both places, I am hidden quite well."

"Is that why you leave us?" she asked softly. "To hide?"

"Aye," I answered softly. "The world is no longer safe for shifters. I fear it is only going to get worse."

I had confided in Dis many times, not in full detail and she understood that I didn't because I wanted to keep her and her kin safe. She had also been easier to talk to than her brother. She took a drink of her tea quietly, her eyes thoughtful.

"With the dark powers gone from the world, you'd figure that it would be safe for you," she mused.

"As did I," I agreed. "But I found I was sorely mistaken. So tell me, has it truly been going well here?"

"It has," she smiled. "Businesses are flourishing here, and everyone is making profit. Fili and Kili have been taught how to wield weapons thanks to their uncle, and Dwalin. Fili has been training under Thorin's guidance as heir, and he's been doing very well on it. He has a softer spot for Kili..."

"Kili reminds him of Frerin," I said softly. "But Fili looks like him."

"Aye, he does," she said sadly, agreeing to both statements. "He doesn't want to be too hard on him. The lad is smart though. I have no doubt he will be great one day. Fili enjoys what he does with Thorin almost a little too much. He will be a great king one day."

I smiled at that and finished my tea and set my cup down quietly. Dis smiled at me when she set her own cup down and she looked at me thoroughly as she usually did. I laughed at that and waved her off.

"I'm all in one piece. Dwalin says my hair is longer and darker," I smiled.

"He would be right on that," she chuckled softly as she got to her feet. "I will have a mighty supper made for tonight to be served in the royal dining hall. You will be surrounded by friends tonight. Fili and Kili went out hunting, and a good thing they did. I can send a raven for them to get more than just the boar they are hunting."

"Oh Dis you don't have to do that," I stammered, as I got to my own feet.

"Hush," she smiled widely. "This will be a grand night. A celebration because you have returned, and because last time you did not let me."

I grunted as she slipped into her shoes and grabbed a few things so she could run out. I sighed flatly and watched as she opened the door, she almost ran right into her older brother. Thorin smiled at her and she couldn't help but beam back.

"You are up to something," he said, arching his brow.

"That I am. Don't you worry about it," she said pushing past him. "Take care of our guest."

He watched his sister leave and then turned back to face me. His expression eased and he grabbed my bags and ushered me to follow him. We went down the hall a ways to a new room, and it was both familiar and a little new.

"You replaced my favorite couch," I said sadly, seeing a new one in its place.

"That old ratty thing was falling apart by the time you left seven years ago. It only got worse. I had a new one made," Thorin snorted, as he set my bags in the corner.

Sighing loudly and sadly, I went over to sit on it and arched my brow after a moment and shrugged slightly. "At least it's comfortable," I said slowly with approval.

"I'm sorry, who is royalty here?" he asked with heavy amusement.

"No, I'm a woman," I teased back, taking my shoes off and tucking my feet under me. "It's just natural for me to be picky thank you."

Thorin laughed and shrugged out of his coat and hung it up before he slipped out of his boots as well. He walked over to join me on the couch and sat down with a sigh. I looked at him for a moment taking in how he hadn't changed much since the last time I had seen him. Maybe a little, but it was nothing huge. He was twenty years away from a hundred years old, and as I thought about it so was I.

"You look good," I said gently. "Better in fact."

"Thank you," he sighed softly. "Peace is a wonderful thing. I will admit that I still have a burning desire to go back to Erebor..."

"It was your home," I replied. "You were born there, it is only natural. Thror and Thrain both dreamed of the day that you'd all return home."

"Aye," he sighed. "But my duty lies here first. To my people."

"You've come such a long way over the last fourteen years," I smiled, touching his knee. "You have done your family proud."

Thorin smiled at me, and laid his arm along the back of the couch. "So tell me, what adventures you shared in this time?" he asked curiously.

I chuckled at that and adjusted myself to get comfortable on the couch to tell him what I did when I wasn't here. "Well, I saw the ocean for the first time," I said softly. "Ever since you told me you saw it, I had to go see."

"Ahh," Thorin smiled back. "It truly is unlike anything we've ever seen."

"It is," I nodded. "I had to spend some time with Lord Elrond, but mostly I wandered the lands in search of anything that interested me. Though I did manage to upset a group of trolls when I got to close to the mountains in the north. That was not a fun time, especially since I was with a few elves."

"That doesn't surprise me. Out of everything you find, it had to be trolls," he chuckled.

"I did bring back gifts though!" I smiled pushing myself up. "I spent some time in Rohan out of curiosity. The men that live there are unlike many that we've known. I think even you'd like them."

"I don't like men period," Thorin said flatly, as he turned to watch me grab one of my packs.

I laughed at him as I walked back to the couch. "Well in any case, it was fun there. I got to tame a few horses," I smiled as I sat down. "I made good money doing that for a time before I was called elsewhere. If I could spend my days working with the horses of Rohan...that would be pretty amazing. They are unlike the ones out here. Their blood is mixed with that of the Mearas."

"Mearas?" Thorin asked watching me.

"Mmmhmmm," I nodded. "They are a breed of horse that lives around Rohan that surpass regular horses. Many of them can understand the common tongue, and their strength, speed and intelligence make them mighty partners. The purebred Mearas are rarely seen, but they have bred with a few regular horses for the riders of Rohan only. Long ago, the first Mearas killed the King of Rohan and so his son hunted the beast down. Instead of killing the animal, he made him serve as his steed because of what he did. The horse agreed and an alliance formed through that. I'm actually quite jealous. I think I saw a purebred running over the hills of Rohan when I was leaving, but I couldn't be sure."

"Amazing," Thorin rumbled blinking. "I didn't realize that they ever existed. I heard stories, but you just confirmed it."

"It was great working with the horses there. Do you have any idea how much easier it is taming them when you can actually speak to them?" I asked with a grin. "On top of that...me being what I am was extra."

Thorin chuckled as I opened my pack and brought out a bundle of fabric. Standing up, I shook it out and presented it to him and he arched his brow. He stood up and took it from me, his eyebrows rising in surprise.

"You needed a new one," I smiled as he looked at the black cloak. "I even had your symbol put on the clasp."

When turned it to see, he smiled seeing the same symbol on the clasp that was on his ring made in a brilliant square of silver. Reaching down, I also pulled out a sword that had been made especially for him. It was wrapped in a thin cloth but he knew exactly what it was before he unfolded it.

"I have missed so many of your birthdays. I'm making up," I teased, when he pulled the sword from its sheath.

"Who made this?" he asked in surprise, looking at the fine blade. "The craftsmanship on it is amazing...even the hilt fits perfectly in my hand."

"I know a very good blacksmith," I smiled. "He's not widely known, only because he doesn't wish to be known. I helped him once and he owed me so that was my favor. He was more than happy to make it for me."

"Amazing," Thorin rumbled, backing up to spin the blade in his hand. "Thank you, Arina."

I smiled at him and went and hung his new cloak on the hook by the door. Thorin put the sword away and put it by his other weapons in the corner of the room while I sat back down. I knew it wasn't custom to give gifts, but it was something the dwarves had happily accepted with me. It was the only way I could show my love for them besides giving them my time.

"I also found an amazing axe for Dwalin. It's over there hidden. I was surprised he didn't notice it before," I smiled. "I also found a book for Balin, and a beautiful ring that reminded me of Dis. I can give that to them later. Fili has two daggers I found that I know he'd adore, and I remember the last time I was here you were training Kili with the bow."

"Aye, he has a natural talent for it," Thorin smiled. "You are too gracious with your gifts."

"Oh please," I snorted, looking at him crossly. "That last time I was here you wanted to give me several things made of solid gold."

"Which are still here mind you," Thorin mused, nodding to a few small boxes on the other side of the room.

"Gives me a reason to come back," I teased making him laugh.

"Oh I see how it is," he glanced at me. "You only come here because of the gifts."

I threw my head back and laughed, before rising to my feet and going over to hug him. "I would have come back sooner, but pressing matters had me staying away."

"Ones that you still will not discuss," he rumbled, pulling back from me. "At least not in length."

Sighing quietly, I lowered my head at that and shook my head. "I cannot. Just know that by me not telling you it's keeping you and your kin safe."

"We can protect you here," Thorin said firmly. "You could make your home here, isn't that what you want?"

"Of course it is," I answered, stepping back from him so that I could meet his gaze. "But I'm asking you to trust me for now. I cannot speak of it yet. It is too dangerous right now."

He gave me an aggravated look before he shook his head and then sighed loudly. I knew he was unhappy about this because we usually shared everything together. This was just another thing to add to the list of what I haven't told him. At least that list was short in its own right.

"I don't want to ruin the time I'm here," I said gently. "Last time I was here we fought more than usual."

"Aye we did," he answered shortly. "And that was because of the same reason we are arguing now. Why are you so stubborn?"

I had to look at his face before I was able to smile and roll my eyes as he offered his arm. We left the room and headed toward the hall where dinner was ready after I grabbed the gifts I wanted to give to the others.

"So why haven't you taken a queen?" I teased lightly.

Thorin stiffened beside me as we walked, and he gave me a narrowed look. "Because I don't want one."

"Oh come on, not one dwarf lady has caught your attention? I've seen several drool over the battle hardened King Thorin," I laughed, and he groaned almost too loudly.

"None of them interest me," he growled, cutting me off before I could tease him some more.

Reaching over, Thorin snatched my pack from my shoulder and slung it over his own, careful of the heavy axe that was in there. I went to object, but he gave me a look that had me pressing my lips together and looking back ahead of us.

"And if I ever chose a queen, we'd never be allowed to be friends again," he said with heavy amusement.

"I'd probably have to murder her in her sleep," I agreed at that point, and his booming laugh startled several dwarves as we walked down the hall.

We walked together in to the royal hall for the dinner and saw that everything was already being set out. I grinned when I saw two familiar young faces turn toward me when the heard us approaching. Thorin quickly let go of me and took several steps away as Fili and Kili rushed forward to greet me.

"Oh we've missed you!" Kili cried, wrapping me up in a hug and swinging me around.

"My goodness you are finally taller than me!" I cried back and he set me down with a thump.

"Yes I am!" he grinned, handing me over to Fili.

His beard was fuller than the last time I saw him, and his mustache was even longer. Fili had styled it similar to his uncle's minus the longer braided pieces of his mustache. He had also braided several pieces of his hair. I smiled at the older brother, and hugged him when he wrapped me up in a tight squeeze.

"You both look wonderful," I smiled, when we pulled back.

"So do you," Fili smiled back. "Your hair is different than that last time."

"Longer and darker," I laughed. "You've braided yours. I see your brother has failed to follow the example."

Kili snorted with a laugh as he plopped down in a chair. "I like pinning it back with a simple clasp. I look silly in braids."

Fili laughed and went to join him. "Yes, you would."

"Hey!" Kili arched his brow with a silly grin. "That was not nice."

Thorin joined me, and handed my pack to me since those I had gifts for were here. I smiled and picked the handle of the axe up and lifted it out of the pack.

"Gift time!" I smiled handing it to Dwalin. "I think you will find it to your liking."

Dwalin put down his mug of ale and hastily took the gift. "So that was why it was so bloody heavy," he laughed, and bowed to me after he took the cloth from the weapon. "Arina it is a fine weapon. Thank you..."

The way his cheeks turned red had me knowing I did a good job. Proud of myself, I gave Thorin a smug look when I pulled the book for Balin out and also the ring for Dis. Walking over to the old dwarf I handed it to him.

"You said you were looking for something about the histories and I found something that might capture your interest," I smiled, as he took it slowly.

He looked at the book, and opened the page and he gave me a smile. "Oh aye. You caught my interest indeed," he chuckled, giving my hand a squeeze.

I smiled and then handed the small bag that held the ring to Dis when she chuckled and took it. "I think you'll find that to be well picked," I smiled as she took the ring out.

"Arina, it is beautiful!" she gushed looking at it. "Thank you...thank you."

I couldn't keep the smile off my face as I then picked up the hand crafted bow and arrow quiver for Kili. Handing it to him, I paused when he opened the cloth and nearly fell out of his chair at the sight of it. Thorin had given me the idea of the bow and how it should have been crafted the last time I had visited. He had been training with what they had and now he had one of his very own.

"Arina," Kili muttered picking it up. "Th...Thank you."

I smiled at his shock and then pulled out the two daggers for Fili and handed them to him. His shock was about the same as his brother's and I backed up so that they could have a moment.

"Those were ideas from your uncle," I smiled after a minute. "Take care of them. They are hand crafted; you will find nothing else like them."

Kili's grin lit up his face while Fili spun his daggers in his hands. Dwalin was leaning on his axe also with a smile on his face. Turning to me, Kili got up and walked over to give me a hug so tight I couldn't breathe and had to hit him on the back to let him know.

"It is the best gift ever!" he grinned. "Thank you!"

"Glad you like them," I grinned, catching my breath only to be squeezed again by Fili, but he at least didn't try and cut off my air supply.

"You really are too kind lass," Balin smiled from his seat, and behind him Dis was admiring her new ring.

"Nonsense," I waved my hand. "I enjoyed doing this."

We all stayed up late that night and swapped stories about what had gone on over the years. I had one too many ales before the night was over and as we sat around a fire, I fell asleep next to Fili and Kili before I could hear the end of a story.

The next several chapters were by far my favorites, and I hope you will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them!