Disclaimer: I own nothing but Dwin and her family! I'm justing playing around with stuff and things.

A/N: Ha. Ha. Ha. Well, I did finish it. Eventually. I may start editing some of the early chapters? I haven't decided. But yes! I have found my muse again to write this! I even know what's happening in the next chapter! I'm sorry it took so long, school is endlessly busy, but I'll try to update soon! So, nothing new in terms of Khuzdul. Tell me what you think, I do so love comments. Have a great rest of the week everyone!


Staying has consequences

With more information from Bilbo, the next time all the Dwarves met it was with much more to think about. Bilbo had admitted to Thorin being his heartsong, or at least the hobbit equivalent. So now all they had to do was get Thorin to admit that Bilbo was his heartsong. Though this seemed to be the hardest part. All of the dwarves said it would take much to bring forth that kind of information from the king. They were going to have to use everything at their disposal.

Like Ale. And lots of it.

Ale by itself, unfortunately, wasn't going to be enough. They would have orchestrate events so that the king would be comfortable, and drunk enough, to confide in Dwalin. Dwin was a little surprised at the choice at first, figuring Balin be the one to send, but Dwalin was the dwarf unanimously chosen. After the meeting she asked Kíli about it.

"Dwalin and Uncle have always been close." He said with a shrug. Dwin thought this interesting, though Dwalin didn't seem to the type to share what was confided in him.

"Dwin, are you free tomorrow night?" Kíli asked, Dwin looked up cautiously, and wondered what he was planning this time

"Yes?" She said slowly, "I don't believe I have anything planned, why?"

"I was wondering, if I- if you would like to," He paused to clear his throat and started again, his voice was a little deeper, "Join me for dinner, on the hill."

Dwin looked at him, a little shocked. Younger dwarves who weren't courting usually didn't go on outings like that together, potentially alone. Of course being two unattached dwarves they shouldn't really being doing much by themselves, not without a chaperone. Most of the younger dwarves thought it to be a silly rule and promptly ignored it, one would only follow the rule if an older dwarf made them. Still this outing seemed almost to be in the manner of courting rules. Dwin tried her hardest not to blush, but she knew didn't succeed as she saw Kíli's face soften into a smile.

"I suppose" She paused to return his grin, lightly mocking him with her own formality, "That would be acceptable."

Kíli seemed a little shocked she had accepted, he stood frozen for a second before smiling softly at her. Giving her a whole new set of feelings to push to the back of her mind. He rushed towards her and spun her around. Dwin laughed and wrapped an arm around his neck so that she was secure. When he finally put her down, they were both a little out of breath. They stood looking at each other, his arms still around her waist and hers around his neck. He finally smiled softly and put a curl that had escaped from her mass of braids behind her ear.

"I- well," Kíli stumbled over his words. Dwin chuckled and soon his baritone laugh rang out with hers. Dwin had come to adore his laugh, every time she heard it it seemed to resonate through her and settle somewhere near her heart.

"Abnân, may I accompany you to your tent?" Kíli asked after their laughter had subsided. She nodded and they started towards her tent arm in arm.

Dwin and Kíli chatted amicably as they walked through the camp. Dwin thought she made a valiant effort not to sigh when he kissed her hand before he left. Feeling lighter than air she quickly went to sleep, a small smile still on her face.

"Oh, you cannot be serious!" Dwin cried out.

"I am! I had to practice for years I know it like the back of my hand." Kíli said firmly. Dwin shook her head as she stood up and held out her hand to him. He look at the appendage and then back up at her. Dwin rolled her eyes and shook it impatiently.

"Come on then Princeling, let me show you." Kíli puffed up and stood up.

"Princeling?" He didn't sound angry, but aghast at her use of her nickname for him, Dwin's impatience lost some of it's fire.

"Kíli," She said with a quiet grin, still holding out her hand, "May I show you?"

They were on a hill a bit aways from camp and were close enough to see the twinkling campfires. They probably should have invited someone else to join them, but the pair didn't care much that idea, so Kíli didn't mention it and Dwin did ask. Both were armed though, as they were outside the camp. Dwin turned to face Kíli and he held out a hand for her. She took it and moved closer towards him, when she though the space between them was about right she held up her hand for him to clasp. When he took it they started through traditional dwarven dance. Dwin barely even stumbled! She had a inkling that Kíli was somehow responsible for that. They got to a part where Dwin's back was facing Kíli and he then spun her out, when he spun her back in she paused and smiled at him, a hand resting on his chest.

"See? You add more spacing and it's harder to smoothly transition into the spin." Dwin said softly.

"Hm, look at that." Kíli paused to look at her with twinkling eyes, "I suppose you were right."

"You little-" Dwin laughed and hit him lightly, "You knew the exact spacing, didn't you?"

"I may have suddenly remembered when we started dancing." Kíli said, a mischievous grin on his face. Their outing had been fun. They had talked and joked as they ate dinner, perfectly comfortable with the other's company, they had gotten to know each other better as they swapped stories. Now the sun was just started to set and the stars were beginning to shine. Dwin leaned back and studied the stars, letting herself relax into Kíli's arms. They decided to have a contest for who could find the mark of their ancestors in the stars. The closeness between them felt nice. He was a wonderful dwarf, she did like him quite a bit, but she had always decided that a relationship would wait until after she was set in her trade. If she even wanted a relationship. And that all depended upon if he was her Heartsong, she had always said she'd wait for them... Dwin decided to stop going down that train of thought, unable to handle the implications of her thinking at the moment. She wasn't ready to think of Kíli as her potential Heartsong. Now that she was here, almost ready to take the test that would announce her a master healer and with a dwarf that could be... Well, it was all different then she expected. She started to laugh at the thought of being able to expect anything out of her life. Kíli looked at her with a smile, cocking his head to the side.

"A stray thought." She answered the unasked question, smiling at him. A blush starting to spread across her face as she took in how close they were. Not that Dwin minded, but if anyone saw them they would assume they were courting. With a mischievous glance at the dwarf she decided, for the moment she would abandon her worries. She recklessly followed her impulse, ignoring any consequences, and rested her forehead against Kíli's. The gesture had such an intimate meaning in their culture, it was a gesture that was unable to be meant in any other way, she could only be more intimate with him if she had asked to braid his hair. Kíli's smile in that moment was worth any consequence she could think of.

They walked back to the camp later, they were lucky enough to not run into anyone who asked them where they had been. That was, until she saw Mazrlafm with Fíli ahead of them. She groaned and tried to avoid them but Mazrlafm had already caught sight of them. She looked apologetically at Kíli who only smiled and looked proudly ahead of them. Dwin studied him a moment, it was still somewhat odd to seeing a more serious Kíli, they were facing this head on apparently. Together the waited as Mazrlafm stalked towards them while Fíli wandered casually behind him, looking slightly amused.

"And where were you two?" Mazrlafm growled. Dwin looked unimpressed, she appreciated him looking after her, but she wasn't a dwarfling to be protected. She had no one to answer to but Dain and Suri.

"We dined together, where were you this evening Mazrlafm?" Dwin huffed out, crossing her arms over her chest. Kíli bumped her shoulder lightly, and Dwin like the reminder of his support.

"And who was accompanying you?" Mazrlafm asked with glare, planting himself in front of them. Dwin's blood boiled, how dare he? She was a dwarf! She could damn well protect herself and didn't need anyone to "accompany" her anywhere. Why could he not have people accompany him when he had gone off with someone but she didn't have the same privilege?

"And who accompanied you with Aldís or Gylt?"

"That was different-"

"Do you have a problem with me seeing Dwin?" Kíli said suddenly. Dwin looked at him wide eyed, he had just implied he was going to court her. Dwin could think of many reason that was a bad idea, especially at this particular moment. Still, Dwin couldn't say she was mad, the thought of it was wonderful, but not one she had wanted to consider. Mazrlafm's answer cut off her train of thought.

"I do!"

"What's wrong with my brother? He smells a little like troll, but I thought we explained that, it's hard to get troll blood out of your clothes. Before this I thought rather you liked him Thorin." Fíli broke in, with a grin at Kíli.

"And at least I don't smell of Elvin wine still. Bombor still winces whenever you're upwind." Kíli shot back quickly. Fíli looked ready to give his comeback when Mazrlafm answered.

"I don't you are quite the kind to take Dwin seriously, she deserves better. She deserves someone from-"

"Excuse me? Thorin? Are ya done? Or do you have more to say about what I deserve?" Dwin said a hand on her hip, "I think I should be the one to decide what I want or who deserves me."

"I think yer being an idiot and I hope you have the sense realize what yer doing." Mazrlafm growled before stalking off. Fíli, trying to relieve the tension, remarked that he actually looked like his namesake in that moment. Dwin was mad, and hurt. Mazrlafm didn't respect her decisions. She should have beat the respect into him. After all they had been through! Who was he to decide what was good for her? She gave the brothers a nod in goodbye before going off, she was too angry to be much company at the moment. She just started walking while replaying the conversation over and over in her head. This wasn't conducive to walking, as she kept tripping, finally after she tripped on the edge of box and landed sprawled on the ground, she just stayed on the ground. She sat cross legged where she landed and glared at the ground.

"Um, Dwin?" A voice broke through her thoughts, she looked up with a glare ready to tell them off for bothering her but when she saw Bilbo the words died on her tongue. She sighed deeply and looked to the ground again, shifting so that she could rest her chin on her knees.

"Ah." He said, and she heard him sitting down besides her. Soon she heard a match and smelled his tocabbo, he had lit his pipe. They sat in silence, Bilbo smoking his pipe and Dwin wallowing in her emotions. Finally she looked at Bilbo, the silence had started to weigh on her. She told him what happened, adding how she felt it was unfair for him to break "rules" and expect her to follow them.

"I haven't a clue what I should do." Dwin said finally. Bilbo looked thoughtful and puffed a few more times on his pipe before looking at her.

"Dwin how do you feel about Kíli?" Bilbo asked, smiling at the look at Dwin's face as she tried to hide her blush. He went on, finding his answer on her face, "I thought as much. Dwin, being totally respectable isn't worth missing out on life. No one should tell you how to live your life but you."

Dwin looked at Bilbo, contemplating what he had told her. She was in the right, Mazrlafm had no right to talk about her life like that. Though he had been avoiding since she had told him of her intentions to stay at Erebor and they hadn't gotten a chance to talk lately. This was an new adventure that she had to go on without him. Still, he was being an arse and she didn't have to deal that. She shook her head and looked to Bilbo, who was patiently waiting for Dwin to think about what he had said. Something nagged at her mind, it was an idea she had briefly when she and Kíli had- She remembered! She grinned at Bilbo, who looked somewhat taken aback at the sudden change in her demeanor.

"Well, that's enough if my issues. Mazrlafm will get over it soon. Though, Bilbo?" Dwin said sweetly, "I had an idea. You should braid King Thorin's hair!"

"Braid his hair?"

"Yes! It's something dwarves do," Dwin didn't mention it was something only close family or Ones did, "I think it would that would show the King that you are interested... In renewing a relationship."

Dwin didn't mention what kind of relationship. Luckily, Bilbo didn't ask but looked like he was considering that idea. Finally he nodded, taking another puff of his pipe.

"I suppose it couldn't hurt." Dwin thought it was a great feat of strength she didn't start laughing. She couldn't wait to tell the others what she had started. Her bad mood had all but evaporated as she focused on Bilbo and their endeavors to get him and the King together, she would deal with her situation later. Like all her emotions lately, she absently thought that she and Bilbo should have a long talk soon, he was good at giving advice of this sort. She talked more with Bilbo before bidding him goodbye and going to find Balin to share the news. Balin was the leader of their little group and would be the best to tell. On the way to his tent she saw Dwalin by a fire with a mug of ale and with a grin she walked to him. He took one look at her approaching and gave her a guarded look.

"Aye, I know that look. I see it on the lads' faces everyday, what did ya do?"

"I may have..." Dwin looked away with a mischievous smile, "encouraged Bilbo to braid Thorin's hair?"

Dwalin gave a snort of amusement, "Well, lass, ya work fast, that much I'll say. Have ya told Balin yet?"

"Not yet, I was just about to."

"I'll go with ya." The dwarf rose and walked besides her. When they entered Balin's tent they found Bofur and Dori sitting at a table with tea. Dwin stifled a laugh at the sight of Bofur drinking tea with his pinkie up.

"Dwalin! Dwin! Come to join our civilized tea party?" Bofur said with a grin at them.

Dwalin just grunted and plopped himself in a chair besides his brother. Dwin shook her head no but shared a grin with the jovial dwarf. Balin and Dori greeted her as she sat down between Bofur and Dori.

"And how are you doing tonight lass?" Dori said, pouring her a cup of tea regardless of her answer to Bofur.

Dwin flushed and coughed to clear her throat, thinking about Kíli. But this wasn't about him. She avoided eye contact while she collected herself, "It's certainly been eventful, but it's been good all in all."

"Aye?" Bofur gave her a teasing grin, one she wasn't quite sure how to answer. She just refocused her attention to Balin.

"Aye. I talked to Bilbo tonight."

Bofur started laughing at her mischievous look and Dori clucked his tongue in disapproval. Dwin noticed Dwalin smiling into his ale while sharing a look with his brother.

"And what did you two talk about?" Balin said finally, he had tried unsuccessfully to hide the smile forming on his face.

"This and that," Dwin said, moving her hand to show it was unimportant, "But then I remembered an idea Kíli and I had and ran it past Bilbo, who has agreed to try it."

"And what idea is that?" Dori huffed, looking suspiciously at her. Dwin took a sip of her tea before answering, fooling none of the dwarves with her false look of innocence.

"I told him I thought he should try to braid King Thorin's hair."

Bofur and Dwalin burst out in laughter, or more like soft chuckles in Dwalin's case. Balin smiled at her genially while Dori looked at her with, what to looked like to Dwin, newfound appreciation.

"That's one way to commence the next part of our plan." Balin chuckled and shook his head, he then gave Dwin a more piercing look, "You and Kíli make quite the team."

Dwin blushed under the gaze, unable to find a sufficient answer. Luckily, she was saved by Dori.

"Since we are here, should we...?" He trailed off as he looked at Balin.

"Dwalin. He is a much better choice for this situation I believe." Balin said, looking slightly uncomfortable.

Dwalin looked unimpressed and threw out a thumb to point to Bofur.

"Look 'ere, I don't get involved in things I have no business bein' in. Why don't you do it Dori? You're the mother hen here."

Dori spluttered and glared of Bofur. Dwin looked around at the dwarves around her, bemused. Though, as confusing their conversation was, it was amusing to hear the back and forth.

"For my part, I vote me. For whatever it is, since no one has bothered to yet." Dwin said with a laugh, relieved to have been distracted from that line of conversation, "I'm almost a master healer. I'm sure that will help with whatever it is."

All the dwarves around her suddenly looked extremely uncomfortable. And poor Dori started choking on his tea. Balin smacked his back to aid his coughing. Dwin didn't know what exactly she said to elicit that reaction, but she looked on with mild concern while Dori finally stopped coughing.

"We will, ah," Balin said finally, stopping his blows to Dori's back, "Take that under consideration."

"Aye, well" Dwalin rubbed the neck his neck, obviously discomforted, "I'll walk ya back Dwin."

"Very well, as long as Dori thinks he's fine. Coughing is surprisingly violent, ya know, though sneezing is even worse." Dwin said, taking a closer look at Dori. He waved off her concern, though his face was still red.

"I'm fine lass, go on, I'm sure it's high time for you to be in bed." Dori said, giving her a somewhat watery smile. Bofur laughed and stood up, stretching.

"I think I'll go with ya, thanks for the tea Dori, hope ya don't cough up stones." Bofur said with a wink to Dwin, "'Night Balin, we'll discuss the move tomorrow."

The move. Dwin had almost forgotten. The gates should be all but cleared. They would actually be able to start to move into the mountain. And Dwin and Surir would be moving with them. Dwalin, Bofur, and Dwin left the tent, Dwin mostly lost in her thoughts. She had gotten approval from her mother, but she would have to ask for some of her things to be sent with the caravan that would be passing the Iron Hills. Bofur's laugh broke Dwin out her thoughts. She looked at the two dwarves walking with her and smiled. She wasn't sure what was going to happen, but she was looking forward to finding out.