Hello everyone!

So I am doing the adult thing of working all the time now. Lately I have been a bit stressed/depressed since my cat is slowly dying from an untreatable cancer, so I apologize for the delay. keeping busy with work only helped to get my mind off things. I hope everyone is doing well, especially after I just heard about the attacks in Paris. I pray all those in that beautiful city are safe and healing from this painful event.

For this chapter I am also focusing on moving things along, so each little mini-arc I have planned is addressed. Because it is all about character development, right? I apologize if Myranda is a bit odd. She is a tougher cookie than me and so its sometimes difficult to portray her in all her glory.

*Edited! vvv*

Also Totally Check out Jmac322's story! Its Really good! She has been helping me edit my chapters and giving good advice for a long while.

Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and look forward to more, because I won't ever give up on this!

~AliceNotInWonderland

Chapter 14: Sing While You Work

"This entire hall; are you serious?" Myranda spoke with disbelief. Aerith stood at her side, mouth hanging open at the sight.

"Afraid so, lass." Bifur nodded again to her.

The hall was mostly demolished, with a whole wall crumbled to pieces the size of small boulders. She could tell this place used to be a main hall for foot traffic in the past since the halls connected each way. Since Smaug destroyed the hall though, many of those smaller entrances had become blocked and so many detoured through various other halls. The walls were not exceptionally grandeur from what she could see, but the pillars were originally chiseled to perfection based on the few standing ones. Canvas that once hung on the pillars now lay on the ground in a dusty heap or drooped in a tattered mess.

Basically the hall was not essential to the dwarves of Erebor, but if she completed the task, then dwarves would save half their time walking and those living near the royal quarters would not have to walk nearly as far.

"So I am just working on improving foot traffic routes. Wonderful…" Myranda grumbled.

Bifur laughed nervously, sensing her annoyance but not knowing how serious she really was.

"Yeah…well me and some lads set up a track and cart for the broken up rock for you to transfer. Whatever you bring we will take care of. Also, yer hammer, pick-axe, and shovel are in the cart ready for use. Good luck Lady Myranda, and see you later little Aerith." Bifur scratched his head, bowed his head lightly and walked off.

After Bifur's steps vanished into the distance, silence filled the crumbled hall.

"Well…" Aerith began, "at least we have a project to work on?" Aerith spoke softly.

"Oh no, little Aerith, you are not lifting these. You are so clumsy; you may just break your feet dropping the first rock. No, you are sitting and reading up on the history of this place. We need to understand this land as soon as possible. You will read out loud any information that may be useful for me to know also." Myranda commanded. Aerith looked surprised at one point then bite her lip and nodded in compliance.

"Okay, but can I also read other things too? Like the fun stories and stuff?" Aerith asked.

"That's fine. I just need to make sure you don't leave my side for now. I don't know how safe this city is for either of us to be wandering around alone."

"But I was alone when you were recovering."

"That is different, and I am still not happy you wandered about alone. You should have at least stayed with the dwarf, Balin." Myranda said sounding agitated slightly.

"Sorry…I will be more cautious." Aerith paused and looked around again. The broken rubble, pillars, the whole wall that was obviously broken through by the dragon, leaving a gaping hole; the dirt, visible piles of dust, and cob webs, the work amounted before Myranda was immense.

"Guess I best get started…" Myranda sighed.

First grabbing the shovel, she began to scoop up the already small pieces of rock. Aerith clutched her book and looked down. She started to sniffle…

Myranda paused in her tracks, looking puzzled.

"What's wrong now?" Myranda asked confused. The little girl rubbed her nose.

"I am so sorry…sniff…If it weren't for me getting caught and used for ransom, then you wouldn't have to do this…it's so much work!" Aerith cried. "This is literally a mountain of work! It's all my fault! Sorry Myr…"

Myranda dropped the first shovel load into the metal cart, and turned to the girl.

"This work may be good for us though." The young woman said simply with a half-smile which made Aerith look up abruptly.

"What?"

"I mean," Myranda scooped up another load of rocks, this one a bit heavier than the last, making her shoulder ache. "With constant work, we may just be able to call this place home. It is not all that impossible."

She dropped the shovel load into the cart. The cart would take hundreds more scoops of the shovel till it even reached half way. Myranda already felt the ache in her body from the previous wounds, but also the lack of those muscles being used. She had a strange feeling this work could have its benefits for strengthening her body and her resolve.

"I want to hope that maybe…maybe we can stop running from our past." Myranda smiled to the little girl, who now looked partially wide-eyed. "We can live once again and not linger on yesterday. Let's try to make our way in this new land."

Aerith brightened and smiled again.

"Yes!"

"Now read your book on that rock over there where I can see you."

"Okay!" Aerith complied with glee. "This hall sure has a great echo…"

Thorin had been in meetings all day with Balin and the other elders of Erebor. Bard had come in the early part of the day to discuss the merchants of lake-town and how the coming winter would hinder travel unless they could improve the barges, boats, and carriages. The dwarves had only partially resumed some mining, but mostly they were doing metal work and repairs upon the kingdom. The king had plenty of gold, which he was constantly using to pay for materials and trying to jump start the economy again with old connections. Bard had brought up the fact that a tiny single barge and a few small boats were not enough for the materials they needed. With a lack of transport for the goods they needed, the gold was pointless.

"So you know what is needed. Is there a way that your dwarves can make the required amount of bolts and the exact pieces of metal sheets for the parts?" Bard sat back in the human sized chair, drinking from a cup of wine that Thorin had supplied.

"May not be easy, but I will try to get the order filled and sent by the end of the week." Thorin looked over the parchment and signed his name by Bards at the bottom. "In my grandfather's time, it would have been ready within a day with all the hands we had."

Bard scoffed. "A week is still very good time for the amount." He took another sip of wine. "By the way, from what I heard, the lady treasure hunter is up and about in your kingdom. Is she really sentenced to work till the day she dies?"

Thorin glared at Bard, which still had no effect on the man, since they were such good friends at that point. Bard visibly smirked from the sarcastic comment.

"Indeed. She is working on one of the great halls that is near to the royal quarters, but also used to be a common route to the marketplace and bathes. If and when she finishes she will be free to leave."

"Seems a bit harsh, but the Arkenstone is the kingdom's most valued treasure, and your favorite item." Thorin sent another glare, which made Bard chuckle. "I'm kidding."

"I detest that stone…" Thorin muttered, "If it were up to me, I would throw that stone into the deepest pit and never have to lay eyes on the accursed thing again."

Thorin rolled up the contract and sealed it in wax and with an insignia. Lightly tossing the rolled parchment onto the growing pile of rolled parchments, he sighed.

"This work never seems to end. I will be dead before the coming spring if this work does not lighten up." Thorin rubbed his temple and took another gulp of wine. Have to watch my intake…

"You keep avoiding the subject…" Bard spoke, drinking more of the wine.

"What are you talking about?"

"The Lady Treasure Hunter, or as Balin told me, Lady Myranda; interesting name, I do not know of its origin."

"Who cares about her name; she is fulfilling her task. Enough of this–"

"I also heard you beat her unconscious." Bard interrupted him, making Thorin turn away his gaze and become quiet. Bard watched his reaction closely. "Interesting lass, that one, very steadfast and brave; not once did she show us fear or lack of control. She reminds me of an elvish warrior rather than a mere thief. Something about her character lingered on my mind."

Thorin was listening, but Bard noticed how his eyebrows furrowed, thinking about that day. He had heard about it from Balin, in great detail, when he had arrived. The old dwarf had also told Bard that Thorin was not really listening to him, and perhaps he could mention something so Thorin could get his mind together. So Bard continued.

"When initially interrogating her, she said nothing of who she was, or where she came from. Such stubbornness can only be comparable to yours. Honestly she reminded me of you when we first met."

Thorin looked as if he was trying to not listen, but he was as readable as a book with bold lettering.

"This is a conversation still, right?" Bard spoke sarcastically again, vocally pointing out the dwarf King's attitude.

"I do not care to talk about her. Why must you and Balin press the issue?" Thorin said sternly.

"Have you not thought how different she is? Have you really noticed nothing odd?" Bard asked seriously now.

"What are you talking about?"

"She is not normal…for a dwarf, I mean. Has that not occurred to you?" Bard questioned, "I have heard strange things about her and the child. From the things the old lake-town master said, to what Balin mentioned."

"What things? She is obviously strange; what dwarf isn't?" Thorin partly scoffed.

"The old lake-town master called them 'witches', and Balin mentioned something about how the lady quietly addressed the child; my little 'princess.' You don't hear much children being addressed as such, or the fact of that very child doesn't appear to have the grubby appearance of a girl raised without a home in the wild." Bard explained. Thorin stared intently at Bard again.

"They are not from this region, which is obvious enough. What are you trying to say? That they could be part of a royal family somewhere far off in who knows where? There are not many other kingdoms of dwarves left who do not know of each other. I can assure you that there is no dwarf land nearby with any princess or any kingdom that would have a lady knight." Thorin said gruffly.

"So Lady Myranda mentioned something about herself being a knight?"

"Most likely rubbish..."

"I would not discount such words half-heartedly…You did not see how she took on those knife wounds all the while protecting a child. If she calls herself a knight, my instincts tell me to believe it." Bard sat back, a look of recollection on his face.

"Who has ever heard of a woman fighting on the same level as a man?"

"Plenty, actually, even the old ladies of Lake-town joined the battle in Dale when the armies of orcs swept over us. So a lady dwarf knight would not surprise me in the least." Bard added with a light chuckle.

"Hmph…" Thorin thoroughly lost that argument. A few seconds passed and Bard placed his empty mug down on the table. Thorin barely finished after him. "Heading back tomorrow or tonight?"

"Tomorrow in the early morning," Bard straightened slightly, "Have to enjoy your company a bit longer before I go back to work."

"Your sarcasm is impeccable." Thorin said with a half smirk.

"Who said I was being sarcastic?" Bard laughed heartily.

After Thorin had arranged Bard's stay in a guest room, the man asked for a tour of the kingdom's progress, since he had not explored the area since about a year ago.

"This is fine work, for only a few months difference," Bard exclaimed taking in the breath-taking view of the great pillars of the paths through the main hall. "Never would have known that only a few hundred dwarves made this much of a difference. Whole chambers were but piles of rubble and now the same areas look like they were transformed by the greatest stonemasons. Truly outstanding…"

"Those areas were essential for pipe work and airways. Nonessential sections are left for later and probably will not be completed until after my own death." Thorin mentioned, and then gestured to the right. "This way to the royal family's quarters. There are numerous rooms that are currently unused since our family is very small right now, so you are welcome to stay there. You are our honored guest so you deserve as such."

"Hahaha! Well thank you, but I would imagine it would also be appropriate since I don't quite fit into normal dwarf quarters, what with the tiny beds. Thank you, Thorin, I appreciate it."

CHINK!

"What's that?" Bard paused and Thorin paused in his steps. The king seemed distracted for a moment, and then remembered.

"The Lady Treasure Hunter… She was assigned to the area over there. Not an essential area, but would make foot traffic better in the coming years. She is working, let's not bother her…" Thorin said, obviously trying to avoid the subject.

"Do you not hear it?" Bard whispered.

"Hear what? I hear the shovel and rocks…nothing else."

"No…I hear singing…" The man said, captivated. For some reason, Thorin found himself holding his breath and straining his ears. At first silence, but then he started to hear a soft tune in the distance, almost sad.

"…to all of my children in whom Life flows abundant.

To all of my children to whom Death hath passed his judgement."

Thorin was entranced, and realized that Bard had started to quietly walk towards the sound. He followed Bard, the words becoming clearer with every step they took.

"…the soul yearns for honor and the flesh the hereafter.

Look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after."

Bard kept moving, not saying a word, while Thorin followed closely behind. The sound must have been echoing off the walls since there were very few tapestries hanging in there still, if not they were mostly fallen to the ground.

"Shining is the Land's light of justice.

Ever flows the Land's well of purpose."

They finally came to the hall, but just before the corner turn, they both paused looking on, listening to the woman's voice. They could also hear the little girl's voice, a quiet chorus, harmonizing with the woman's words. The effect was enchanting.

"Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe...

The Land is alive, so believe..."

Myranda jolted in place and turned directly towards where the man and dwarf were, halting her song. Aerith seemed surprised and turned to see the two there, clamping her mouth shut, with a look of worry.

Myranda looked shocked, and slowly her expression changed to an intense glare. Without saying a word, she went back to shoveling rocks into the metal cart.

Bard walked forward and then clapped his hands together, the sound filled the hall, and Aerith seemed to hesitate in feeling appreciative or nervous.

"Never have I heard such a voice or a song so filled with emotion, though stopped short so suddenly." Bard smiled softly. "I apologize for the intrusion, but we could have sworn we heard angels singing a melancholy tune that made my very soul wish to fly away to the heavens."

Aerith's face blushed and she could not hide her tiny giggle from being bashful. Myranda looked to the little girl, her face the slightest bit flush, but still obviously not happy on them eavesdropping. Thorin followed behind Bard, trying to appear unimpressed, but his expression displayed otherwise. Thorin knew he was not in the right to speak to Myranda yet, since he had not yet apologized in person for the puking event a couple of days ago.

"The song was very pleasing…you have my sincerest apologies for disturbing you." Thorin said gruffly. He knew how bad he was about hiding his emotions, and this was one of those moments. Myranda looked at him, not relenting in her glare.

"Apology accepted, your Majesty." She replied with complete sarcasm at the end of her sentence. Almost on cue, Aerith picked up her book, opened it, and hid her face behind its pages. Thorin also felt his temper almost instantly rise. Bard simply smiled, wanting to laugh, but resisting. He liked her already.

"You are not in any position to give me such a tone. Have you no respect for royalty, or those who have given you a place to sleep? Your improper attitude is beyond rude." Thorin said, trying to suppress his frustration. Myranda was not fazed by his words however.

"Oh? So I should feel thankful you both sneaked in and listened in on two ladies in deep conversation?" Myranda scoffed. "Or…that said royalty blessed me with his regurgitated dinner all over my clothes? 'why thank you, your Majesty, for the attention you give me, little as it is, to make sure I am well taken care of.' Is that what I should say?"

Bard, who had at this point, backed away a foot, covered his mouth with his fist, really trying to not laugh at Thorin's predicament. The dwarf king though was trying to control his temper at all costs. He breathed in deeply, and glared back. A very nervous silence filled the room.

"That night was my fault…" Thorin said somewhat behind clenched teeth. Myranda's eyebrow rose, in mock surprise. "I am deeply sorry for my actions that night, and wish that you would forgive me. I have already greatly compensated you for the dirtied clothing. You can be assured that something like that will never happen again…"

Thorin felt more than embarrassed, almost angry at himself for putting it off for so long that the situation had to occur in front of Bard. Balin had given him a lot of grief over the matter of his temper, and in his opinion he felt like he just swallowed so much of his own pride, it felt equal to the amount of ale he had that fated night. The words being put out there strangely felt a bit better, but he still was not content with the woman's attitude. He looked her in the eyes now, and she appeared a bit surprised.

"Interesting…" Myranda said quietly. "I am stunned." She seemed to hesitate for a moment, gathering her own words. "I forgive you, King Thorin, and expect no such activities to occur between us again. I also look upon you as having the respect of your people, and wish only to know you as much as your brethren to further understand why they follow you full-heartedly." With this Myranda lightly bowed. Thorin was caught off guard with her polite response and a bow!

Bard watched the exchange with great interest, while Aerith was slightly peeking over her book.

"I am glad you have accepted my apology…and truly, the song was memorizing, perhaps we can hear the rest of it at some point in the future." Thorin added with the look of someone who just wanted to run away. I just said that…Gods how can I say something so…Argghhh!

Myranda avoided his gaze.

"I have never heard of that tune before, or anything like it." Bard said questioning, "From where does it come from?"

Myranda still looked away, and said nothing. Aerith watched her with worried eyes. The atmosphere in there started to feel uncomfortable, Thorin noticed. Even he could see they did not want to talk. Bard always went straight to the matter and did not waste time in roundabouts.

"Well," Bard said, not fazed by the awkward silence, "I would love to learn of the rest some time or maybe another song. Lady Myranda," She looked to him now, "You seem to have an endless supply of talents, hopefully we can learn more about each other soon. I am glad you are nearly healed; perhaps your injuries were not as bad as was reported to me. Farewell, Lady Myranda and Lady Aerith."

Bard bowed to the two females, and signaled Thorin to do the same.

"Pardon our intrusion and farewell for now." Thorin lightly bowed his head, "Lady Myranda and Lady Aerith."

With those words Thorin and Bard walked back to the hallway and left the two. They must have been almost to the royal family quarters when Bard turned to Thorin, barely containing a chuckle.

"You got sick and puked your dinner on her?! What in the world happened? I was never told about this!"

"Do you think they heard us talking before we started singing?" Aerith asked in a hushed tone, lowering her book.

"I don't think so. I am very sure no one was present before we started singing. Let's try to be more careful with the echo in these halls. We best not make that same mistake again." Myranda replied, shoveling stones again.

"Bard seems to be really curious about us. What should we do if they keep asking questions?"

"Aerith, if anyone asks questions, you don't say anything. Leave the talking to me, since I know you are horrible at lying. They don't need to know the truth, it is not their business." Myranda said, lifting one final shovel load into the cart. "Okay, I think that is enough for today."

"But Myr, there is almost no difference in this mountain of rock…" Aerith said waving her hand around, indicating the area around them.

"Yeah, I don't really expect much difference in just a day of work…this is why it may take years." She placed the shovel down and wiped her hands of the dust. "Let's go get some dinner, I am starved!"

"Okay! Can't wait to see what Bifah has tonight!" Aerith cheered, "Maybe tomorrow we can sing other songs? The acoustics are amazing in here!"

Myranda patted the girl's head.

"Perhaps," she smiled, "maybe instead we can learn this land's melodies."

Myranda released a heavy sigh. No matter how much time had passed, dwarves were still an odd lot to her. During dinner, she felt the stares and silence as much as if someone put a damp cloak on her. While Bifah and Aerith filled the awkward silence with laughter and talk, the strange feeling she got never went away.

On the way back to the bed chambers, Myranda felt a bit more at ease, being able to move around freely and learning more of the routes of Erebor. Aerith hummed a happy tune at her side, and suddenly halted in place.

"Myr!" Aerith pointed with her finger ahead of them. "It's Fili and Kili!"

She looked ahead and saw in the distance, at the intersection of their route, was the two nephews of the king. The suave looking blonde and the dark fair-haired dwarves were arguing.

Myranda could not quite pick up what they were speaking of, but then she could tell the younger one, Kili (the one who shot her, she added mentally), seemed upset and more riled.

"I wonder what they are talking about…" She muttered. Aerith, seeing that they were upset, ran ahead. "Ah! Aerith, wait!"

Aerith suddenly jumped in between the two dwarves and cried to them. "Stop fighting! It only makes things worse."

Fili and Kili paused and seemed a bit surprised. Myranda quickly arrived after her.

"I apologize! She has a habit of butting into other people's business. Come on Aer-."

"No…" Fili interrupted. "She is right. We need to stop fighting over these childish matters. Kili, you need to grow up and realize that since I am the heir, I cannot just go on silly adventures or spar for hours on a whim. I have a duty to gain knowledge of my future responsibilities. I have been trying to tell you for a long time but we must all grow up and learn our place. Your place is to be a prince and be prepared for the throne, encase tragedy strikes our people like of the time with Smaug. I am going to rest for the night. I bid you a good night." Fili said with a calm that can only rival a looming storm.

Fili turned to the two women, "I should be apologizing. It is technically unsightly for future royalty to show such immaturity to others." He bowed his head to them, ignoring his glaring brother. "Good night ladies."

Fili turned and walked away, somewhat copying his uncle's stride, Myranda thought. If it were not for Kili wearing his emotions on his sleeves, she would not have guessed the magnitude of how hurt he was. Then it occurred to her…this was her first time meeting the other prince properly, and she meant not being shot at with arrows. So Myranda made a decision.

"You have a great arm for archery, prince Kili." Myranda said, gaining his attention. "If it were not for you well…I am not sure. Perhaps I would be dead from either you saving me or killing me yourself."

"What? I don't quite understand." Kili fumbled with his words.

"I mean," Myranda continued. "It was your arrow that slowed me at the gate, your arrow that saved me from the henchman, but also your arrow that could have killed me. This is a compliment, prince Kili. Despite everything, it was your choices that somewhat controlled my fate." With that Kili looked surprised.

"I only followed my uncle's orders. And despite all that, I still could not stop you."

"No…You truly are a wonderful marksman, it was only because I am skilled in all sorts of combat that I could avoid a majority of arrows flying my way." And the fact that I deviated the wind around me ever so slightly to cause the arrows to miss, but he hit me twice! Myranda added. The dwarf prince seemed somewhat mesmerized.

"You know 'all sorts of combat'? How does a woman come to learn the art of war?" Kili asked amused.

Aerith scoffed.

"Like father, like son. Though this time it's 'like uncle, like nephew'." Aerith said a huffy tone. "Just because Myr is awesome doesn't mean you can mock her skills, because she happens to be a woman. It just so happens, Myr is the best warrior there ever was! Just give her weapon of expertise and she will knock an army on its butt in a minute!" She looked proud, and Myranda could not help placing her palm on her face. Kili was quiet for a moment.

"Hmm…If your Myr is so all powerful, why not challenge me to a duel?" Kili said to the little girl, and now turned to her. "Maybe then we can witness this skill, other than running away."

"You're on!" Aerith cheered, sounding pumped.

"Wait! What? No! I have an enormous pile of work to do and I am sure your king would not approve of a criminal wielding any sort of weapon, especially towards his nephew! He will sooner have my head than allow this…" Myranda argued.

"Which is why," Kili added with his adorably mischievous smile, "We don't tell him."

Thank you all for reading!

So if you recognize the song, don't spoil it for others, but I will reveal more of it later, along with its title.

Reviews and comments are welcomed! :D

Ciao Ciao!