DISCLAIMER: The characters and locations of The Hobbit do not belong to me. They belong to JRR Tolkien, New Line Cinema, and probably a host of other people I've forgotten. I'm only borrowing them for a little entertainment, and I'll put them back when I'm finished with them. Inara, however, belongs to me and I would like to be consulted before she is used in any other works. Evendim and Ithil-valon have standing permission to use any of my characters in any fics they choose.

ALTERNATE UNIVERSE WARNING! This story is set in an alternate universe. This means that some of the features, faces, and places might differ slightly from the original. This is intentional and WILL NOT result in canon characters behaving in out of character ways. It DOES mean they might develop in slightly different ways.

THIS STORY IS NON-SLASH.

DEDICATIONS: To Evendim, who first gave me the courage to post and has given me such pleasure with her own AU series. I would never have been so bold without your help, thank you from the bottom of my heart. To Ithil-valon, who has been more than a loyal friend and has helped me through some really tough times of late, and who has been the best beta-reader anyone could ask for. And to AJ, without whom my life will be a lot poorer. Rest well, my darling. You are sorely missed.

Love the story? Hate it? Think I should be burned at the stake? I'll never know unless you review!

Okay, so I've been posting more than a chapter a day. I simply can't believe how well y'all like this story! Thank you so much for reading and letting me know it's worth the effort!

Part Thirteen

"What do you mean, they aren't here?" Thorin's voice was deceptively soft. He was starting to suspect some kind of conspiracy and he was going to get to the bottom of it. That it was his kin involved didn't help matters, either. It only strained his temper to the breaking point.

"Just that. They aren't here." Balin was attempting to soothe his king but it wasn't going very well. In hindsight, his decision to send the young ones to watch over Inara seemed a bit foolish. He should have chosen someone who wouldn't be missed. And he hadn't missed the slight flaring of Thorin's nostrils, either. Yes, his king was in a fit of temper, all outward appearance to the contrary.

"And where have they gone?" Thorin demanded suddenly. His voice was reasonable but Balin knew a moment's discomfort at having that stare fixed upon him.

"Away." Balin could play words with the best of them, though he didn't particularly enjoy doing it. "They'll be back soon." I hope, was the unspoken conclusion to that thought and Thorin heard it clearly.

Thorin merely stared at him for several moments and Balin resisted the urge to squirm. He was older that Thorin, had seen him grow into his prime and his birthright, and he didn't fear his king. But that basilisk stare was unnerving all the same. "I will hear the truth now, Balin," he said finally, his words very clear. "Where. Are. They."

A good warrior knew when the fight was lost. Balin looked away for only a moment. Then he gave a small smile to his king. His friend. "I sent them after Inara."

Thorin blinked. It was the only indication he gave of how much the news unsettled him. "You did what?" he finally ground out.

"I sent them after her." Balin didn't flinch from what he could clearly feel now as fury. It radiated from Thorin in waves, along with something else he couldn't quite grasp. "I sent them to watch over her, to protect her if she needed it. Now I know she can take care of herself, but she has a tendency to rush in where she should be patient. Not unlike someone else I know."

"Be that as it may, Balin." Thorin was still angry, but he had to admit a certain jealousy as well. He held the emotion close for only a moment before pushing it down deep inside himself where it could be examined at his leisure. And yet, there was a certain amount of hope there, as well. Balin was right. She was headstrong and sometimes over estimated her strength of arms. Not unlike a certain Dwarf he could remember, and the thought gave him pause for a moment. At least she would be safe. Fili and Kili, having been told to guard her, would do so to the exclusion of their own safety. He let go of his rage with a sigh. "Thank you." The words were soft.

Balin placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Now that we've that out of the way," he said simply. "You used to talk to this old Dwarf, lad. Why don't you try doing that again?"

Thorin sighed heavily. Yes, he could rest easy about her safety, but not completely, and now he had those two rarely serious nephews of his to worry about as well. Still, he felt a sense of relief that they were together. "Not here." He indicated the open nature of the room they stood in. "Come."

(scene shift)

"Well?" Inara demanded as they stood before her, looking like two guilty boys trying to avoid a strapping. "What have you to say for yourselves? Thorin will not be pleased." That was an understatement. Thorin had sent her into what amounted to exile and that he wanted her left alone went unspoken. These two were obviously looking out for her welfare and there was no possible way he would have sent them.

Fili and Kili looked at each other for a moment before finding the courage to speak.

"Balin sent us."

"He wanted to be sure you'd stay safe."

"Uncle was wrong to send you away."

"Very wrong."

"You should come home."

"Yes, come home."

Inara shook her head at the suggestion but when they would have continued the back and forth they had so admirably used she finally lost patience. "Enough!" she roared and they fell silent, watching her with wary eyes. "I cannot come home," she said softly, her pain locked deep inside and yet visible for them to see. "I have no home. Thorin has decreed it so. I cannot go back."

They paused for a moment, glancing at each other, before starting in again.

"Then we'll stay with you."

"Balin wanted us to keep you safe."

"So we'll keep you safe."

"Not that you can't keep yourself safe."

"No you're perfectly capable but we'll stay anyway."

She settled for growling at them this time and they shut up again. She wanted to dash their heads together for being annoying and at the same time, she had missed them and their antics. They could always make her laugh and if she weren't so heart sore, she would be at least smiling now.

"Inara, a word." The captain of the escort gestured her over. "You know they won't be welcome in the Greenwood." He kept his opinion to himself but he didn't want trouble of any sort. The Orcs were bad enough. "Best they go home, or wait here."

She gestured for the Dwarves to introduce themselves. The names might soften the captain's heart a bit; and surely it would give him no cause to doubt their abilities as guards if it became necessary. As for being welcome in the Greenwood, well, Thranduil and Thorin had an uneasy peace. Neither would outright insult the other and that meant they would be safe enough there. Maybe not appreciated, but at least not denied passage.

They glanced at each other and then spoke, completely serious now. "Fili and Kili, at your service, sir." Both bowed low.

"Oh. Them." The captain watched them for a moment. "Fine. But any trouble and they leave. And it's coming from your pay." He hadn't approved of Inara from the first, Orcslayer or not. A woman simply shouldn't be doing a man's work.

She nodded and then grabbed each of the Dwarves by an ear. "Now, let's talk."