This is just a little chapter for now, but more is coming, and personalities will collide and clash. We'll see who's left standing when all's said and done.

Chapter 11

I waited in my chambers all day in excited anticipation. How would it feel to be even and steady for once? To walk with both hands free? Otha, Kitra, and I giggled as we gushed over Master Oin's wonderful gift. I couldn't imagine walking like everyone else, but in a few hours I would! Like everyone else! The pain of limping along would be gone—forever!

"Oh, my lady, you have a friend here!" Kitra said clapping her hands together.

Well, not exactly. More like a slight acquaintance tricked into keeping my secret. One side of my mouth pulled up into a grimace. He was quite stern about my being honest with the Durins, and I couldn't say he was wrong. No, I take that back. He was wrong, really wrong about my blindness being an issue. I would never take back what I said about that! If they didn't like me for me, then well and good. Everyone has that right, but I couldn't let him believe that my blindness made me less of a person. I won't accept that from anyone.

I thought about what might happen if King Thorin found out. Hmm, lightening and fire? I had imagined him hanging me over the wall by my ankle, but I was being a bit—just a bit—dramatic. Perhaps Master Oin overstated the situation. Really, what was the big deal about my being blind anyway? It mattered to father, but it never mattered to anyone else; that is, anyone I cared about. Besides, King Thorin wanted our dyes and spices. I was just a goodwill add-on. If Prince Kili didn't want to marry me, he'd find a way around it. He was already off to a good start.

I had almost talked myself into agreeing with Master Oin and telling the truth for integrity's sake but then I decided to hold off until I could find a way to keep Sky and Summer safe. No one could think that unfair. The truth after my friends were out of father's reach. I sat down to my dinner satisfied that I had done what was right for everyone. It wasn't exactly lying now. It was just a ... delay in telling truth. Aye, that fit quite nicely.

After dinner, I heard a knock on the door, and a wave of excitement weakened my knees. Master Oin's reception would be very different from earlier in the day. We crowded around the door, bobbing up and down like overeager children.

"Now move aside, ladies," he said gruffly. "I can't even get through the door!"

But he wasn't upset. His voice seemed more amused than anything. He acted like a grandfather gently chiding his grandchildren for wanting their presents early. Otha and Kitra all but yanked him into the room. I knew my eyes were shining because he chuckled softly and chucked me under the chin.

"Ah, you're beaming, lass," he said in a kindly tone. "I pushed the cobblers hard to get these done, but your smile makes it all worthwhile. The last time I saw someone this happy was when King Thorin first took the throne with the dwarves from Ered Luin cheering him on. Aye, that was a sight to remember."

He carefully led me over to the bed and sat me down. Then he kneeled at my feet. Otha and Kitra stood on either side and gasped as he pulled two pairs of shoes and one pair of boots out of a leather satchel.

"Oh, my lady," Kitra breathed with sincere appreciation, "one pair is black velvet with little diamonds on the toes."

I imagined my feet glittering as I walked proudly down the hallways. The other pair was royal blue velvet with blue, satin bows. A sparkling sapphire in the middle attached them to the shoes. Otha nearly lost her voice describing them. The last was a sturdy pair of tall, brown riding boots embossed with geometric designs.

"Thank you, Master Oin!" I cried. "Oh, thank you!"

I felt the air until I touched his shoulders, and then I threw myself into his arms. He almost fell over, but he chuckled and patted my back. I felt him kiss my forehead.

"I still think you need to tell King Thorin," he said, "but I can't be angry at that face. Come, let's try them out and see how you do."

I ran my fingers reverently over the shoes and felt the soft velvet so thick that I could push a finger into the nap.

"I had them make the heels black to blend in with the floors," he said. "That way it will be harder to see the difference."

Attention to detail. I knew I would rue that someday, but I blessed it now. I slipped the black pair on, and Master Oin held one hand while Otha held the other.

"Small steps, my lady," he said. "That's it. Easy does it."

They slowly eased away from me until I was walking on my own. I felt so tall! Oh! What a glorious feeling, and my hips and shoulders didn't ache. I walked unsteadily at first but caught on to the rhythm after about 30 minutes. I couldn't get enough of it.

"Swing your arms a little when you walk, my lady," he said. "Don't cradle your arm like you used to when you needed to balance yourself."

I obeyed his directions and even was able to skip a little. They chuckled and laughed at my exuberance.

"Can I dance, do you think?" I never could before, but I wanted to try.

Master Oin took my hand and had me step back, so he could bow.

"My lady," he asked formally," may I have this dance?"

He took my hand and told me what to do. I had never twirled and whirled before, and even though he did it slowly, I felt like I could fly. Then Otha and Kitra took my hands, and we spun in a circle until I got dizzy.

"No more, my lady," he said firmly. "Your ankle's still tender."

I dropped on my bed laughing and then thought of something else.

"Do you think I can climb some stairs?"

I must have looked so excited that Master Oin grudging agreed. The four of us hurried out the door and went to the first staircase. I had never gone up stairs two at a time. No one else would think it such a big event, but I thought I was ascending to Mahal himself.

"Take tight hold of my hand, my lady," he said firmly. "I don't want you tumbling down."

I felt like a queen walking up the stairs with my head held high. Otha and Kitra whispered encouragement, and I heard many joyful sighs.

"I wish your mother could see this," Otha said wistfully. He turned me around at the top, and I giggled and hugged him hard. Then everyone went quiet. I heard a deep voice at the bottom.

"What is this?" King Thorin asked. I imagined him dressed in his furred robes and rich, royal blue jerkin with a thick sapphire chain around his neck. Kitra had described his attire to me after dinner. She was so enthralled by his finery that she didn't think to tell me what he looked like.

He sounded suspicious, and I swayed on my feet. Master Oin steadied me and put his hand on my shoulder. I assumed that Otha and Kitra had retreated to a safe distance and couldn't be of immediate help. Master Oin cleared his throat and ummed until he got his story together.

"Ah, I'm walking her up and down the stairs to see how she's doing," he called from the top. "True enough if a bit misleading," he muttered under his breath.

"And that's just what I'm doing, Master Oin," I cut in softly. "I'll tell all after I've secured Sky and Summer's safety."

I heard a low grumble at the bottom of the stairs. King Thorin was clearly discussing our behavior with someone else.

Then Master Oin helped me descend step by step, and I looked down like I was worried about tripping. No one would think that odd. He tightened his grip to let me know that we were at the last stair.

"Down you go, my lady," he said for the benefit of our audience. "I think your ankle's almost healed."

I turned to the king who gave himself away by his deep breaths. Little hums of curiosity alerted me to Lord Balin's presence.

"King Thorin, Lord Balin," I said and curtsied deeply. I secretly gloried in the fact that I could do it gracefully and completely. That they didn't know it was my first time made it more of a triumph.

"How are you feeling, Princess Areen?" King Thorin asked slowly.

I could feel him examining me and knew that he sensed something amiss. He didn't know what I was sure, but he was clever. I only hoped I was more so.

"Much better, Your Highness, and I thank you for asking," I said demurely with my eyes on the ground. "It's wonderful to be out and about and in such beautiful surroundings. The wall carvings are stunning."

Ha! Another one of Kitra's detailed descriptions. I dipped my head and kept my eyes on the ground. No one would question my not looking the king in the eye. Court protocol allowed a maiden to avoid eye contact as a sign of modesty. I had thought more than once that perhaps the dwarves who had designed the royal protocols made them for the blind. Even if not, the rules were a big help now. I stood quietly and waited for them to speak.

"We're glad you're on the mend, child," Lord Balin said carefully. "We look forward to seeing you in the morning."

I smiled appropriately and nodded. No doubt they were plotting to gang up on me. However, I had my own flash-fire to lob.

"Will Prince Kili be joining me?"

It seemed that he and I were both playing the same game for different reasons and that King Thorin was in the middle of it all. The shuffling of embarrassed feet clued me in that Prince Kili had won another round.

"Ah, lass," Lord Balin answered with obvious discomfort. "It seems he's taken ill."

I made the proper noises of concern, although what I really wanted to do was laugh so hard that I drooled and tip my cap if I had one to a very clever prince. He was making his feelings obvious to everyone, and there was nothing King Thorin could do about it at the moment. Of course, his nephew was surely going to get a stern talking-to soon, and I wished I could be there to hear it. Lightening and fire indeed!

"Ah, well, please send my best wishes," I replied with a quick curtsy. Master Oin took me by the arm and said that I'd better return to my chambers. He practically ran me back. Otha and Kitra bustled behind.

Balin turned to Thorin.

"What was that all about?" he asked while scratching his ear.

Thorin looked up the stairs and then turned to stare down the hall where Oin had scurried away with his arms around the princess.

"He acted strangely, and she didn't look up once," he observed with his brow furrowed and his mouth scrunched in unhappy lines.

Balin shrugged. "Well, that's acceptable protocol."

Thorin shook his head.

"I brought her here because of her high spirits and fearlessness, but I don't see any of that."

Waving one hand, Balin dismissed his concerns.

"She might be embarrassed to have come to Erebor in such a state. Besides, Erebor is intimidating, and so are you."

But the king wouldn't be put off.

"No, the reports I heard were of a princess who was completely self-assured and unimpressed by wealth and appearances. I'm disappointed, Balin. Kili needs someone who can pull him out of himself, and I was so sure she was the one. The stories the merchants told spoke of a much-loved and adventurous lass. Their stories convinced me, but she isn't anything like that."

Balin hummed.

"Well, somehow she seems to have Oin on her side. He was hiding something for certain, and I have a hunch that she put him up to it. It's a rare one, to be sure, to win the loyalty of one of the company. He's with her on whatever's going on and not with us."

Thorin was even more concerned after hearing Balin's observation. It rang true in his gut though he could hardly believe it. How was that possible? Whatever it took, he was going to uncover the truth. Whatever it took. In the meantime, he was going to have a talk with Kili. His nephew may miss breakfast, but he wasn't going to miss the feast tomorrow night. If he didn't show his face, his uncle would order that no food be given to him until he presents himself and acts like a prince of the realm. Thorin reflected grimly that he was acting more like a child. He looked down the hall again and shook his head. Things were not going at all like he planned.

Since school's out for the next few weeks, I'll have plenty of time to write, so expect things to really take off in the next chapter! And don't worry. Kili will make his appearance!