Monster chapter, but you all deserve it. I wasn't satisfied with its first posting though, and I felt like a lot of my writing was lazy and unclear, so I rewrote it. I hope it makes more sense!

Chapter 21

A tall and impressive figure strode between Fili and Kili down the corridor to the infirmary. He wore a long, brown cloak and thin leather gloves that looked almost like a second skin. No one spoke.

Fili and Kili had ridden as fast as they could to Dale wearing simple clothes that showed nothing of their status. They tethered their ponies outside and hurried to the rebuilt and refurbished inn. Ignoring the squawking voice of a thin-lipped crone who hoped to sell a room, the brothers headed to the back and asked the barkeep if he had seen someone fitting Relianna's description of this "Bear." He flipped a dirty, wet rag over his shoulder and put down the tankard he was drying. Looking them up and down, he lifted a brow and held out his hand. Their dress didn't fool him. Fili scowled but dropped a gold coin in his greasy palm.

The barkeep grinned with rotten teeth and pointed to the back of the pub. They scanned the room and spied a lone figure sitting in the corner wearing a hooded cloak and an old leather bag strapped across his body. Sitting quietly with a mug of ale and a sparse dinner, he looked almost invisible against the brown walls. His hood was pulled as far forward as possible, and everyone ignored him, moving around him like eddies and currents of a river. The princes hastened to him, but he retreated into the shadows. Pulling back their cloaks, they showed him the hilts of their swords.

"Don't move," Fili said in a low voice. Kili looked around to make sure they weren't followed. "We mean you no harm." Fili leaned closer, and the cloaked figure pushed away, but he could do nothing with the Durin princes crowding him and his back against the smooth boards. "Relianna's been poisoned at Erebor by Zozer the Shadow Assassin, and she's calling for someone named Bear. Is that you?"

At once he stood, bumping the table and clattering his plate, He followed them to the exit, ignoring the startled looks of others who gawked at their leaving so quickly. His abandoned mug laid on its side, and ale streamed to the floor. On the side of the inn stood a black pony tethered to a post. He swung himself into the saddle and followed them out the gate at a gallop. Pushing their mount as hard as they could, they made good time and almost jumped from their saddles when they reached the stables. Fili handed the ponies off to Bofur, and they snuck into the quarantine entrance where Nori, Dori, and Ori were waiting. Bofur followed, checking over his shoulder to make certain that no one was watching. After they entered, the brothers closed the door and bolted it. Ori kept looking behind him at the tall, strange figure. Only the tiniest sliver of his long, green coat underneath showed that he was a healer.

"Who do you think he is?" he whispered to Nori. His sharp-faced brother cast a look over his shoulder.

"Looks like a specter, don't he?" he replied. "Maybe Dwalin was right after all."

Ori shook his head.

"I don't believe it," he said stoutly. "She loves King Thorin, I'm sure of it."

Dori waved his hand to stop them talking.

"Quit it the both of you," he whispered. "No talking. King's orders."

They trotted the rest of the way until they reached the door. There the hooded figure stopped, stepped behind the door, and motioned for them to open it. Surprised at his caution, they opened the door wide. Thorin looked over and saw no one but the princes and Ri brothers, and he cried out in despair at their apparent failure. Peering through the crack, the specter saw flaming, red hair spilling over a pillow through the door to the next room and gasped. Pulling the door back, he pushed the others aside and ran to her. He stumbled and fell on his knees by her head, moaning and kissing her face. She was soaked in sweat. Grabbing her throat in pain, she started gasping, and he snapped out of his grief. He took her pulse and laid his head on her chest to listen to her heart. Her mouth was open, and he leaned in to smell her breath.

The company backed up to watch him with wide eyes and murmured about what his presence meant. Thorin and Oin stood closer, ready to intervene if he did the least thing suspicious. She started gagging, and her tongue curled back. He jumped up, grabbed a spoon off the table, and forced it in her mouth. Thorin moved to stop him, but Oin held out his arm.

"He's preventing her from choking. I would have done the same."

She whimpered in pain and tried to pull out the spoon, but he held fast.

"No, no, trust me, sweetheart," he said while she fought him. "Trust your Golden Bear." Taking great, open-mouthed breaths, she fell back against the pillows shaking. He held her face with gentle fingers and urged her to open her eyes.

"I'm here now," he whispered by her ear while stroking her hair. She twitched and moaned. "I'm here."

Waiting until the convulsions had passed, he repeated his words.

She heaved, and he caught more spittle on a linen cloth.

"I'm here now," he crooned. "Bear is here."

Her breathing quieted, and she opened her eyes, still black as a cat's at night.

"Half?" she wheezed. "Half?"

He leaned closer.

"Of a whole," he confirmed nodding. "I love you, Flame-rider, and I'm here."

She moved her head against her pillow and held his hand. He stroked it lovingly. Thorin stiffened at his words, screwed his eyes shut, and dropped his head. He wrapped his arms around his shoulders tightly like he was trying to keep himself from flying apart. The others sagged as though life had leaked out of them. Dwalin alone stood tall and contemptuous. After a moment and with a last check on her, the hooded figure got to his feet and appraised each of them.

"Did she vomit any of it up?" he asked in a surprisingly tender and sensitive voice.

Oin nodded, but Thorin didn't move. He could have been the Statue of Anguish.

The specter stepped closer to Oin. "Did you touch any of it? What was it like?"

"It was granular," Oin replied with a twist of his hands.

Tapping one brown heel, the young healer put his hands on his hips and bowed his head, appearing to think.

"Did she say anything before I arrived?" he asked. He heard a snort of derision from Dwalin but brushed it aside. "I must know all she said. Was there anything that didn't make sense?"

"None of this makes sense!" Kili said. He stood with his arms folded and a black expression on his face. "Who are you?"

The specter waved his question away.

"Did she say anything that didn't make sense? There are a number of things it could be, but I need to narrow it down. Quickly now. Coma will come soon, and I must know! She'll be beyond any help then."

Thorin came back from where he had gone in his mind and tried to recall her words. The dwarves shifted on their feet and put aside their grumbling. Nella had come out of the apothecary and heard what he asked. Her face registered first.

"She said 'Bear, it's hen'."

He nodded. "Black henbane then."

Oin inhaled, and Thorin broke his stance and turned to him.

"I don't know how to treat that," he said with his forefinger crooked against his mouth.

The specter stepped closer with a decisive nod. "But I do." He rubbed his hands together and started barking orders.

"You," he said pointing to Thorin, "find me a lump of charcoal the size of a large chicken egg." Turning, he pointed to Dwalin. "I need a piece of chalk the same size." He nodded at Oin. "Mint oil. I also need two glasses of water." Grabbing Nella's elbow, he ordered, "Prepare a sleeping draught."

Beckoning with his finger, he called Fili and Kili over to the bed. "She'll try to spit up what I give her, and you'll need to hold her down." He clapped his hands to address the others, his manner confident and direct.

"Get a clean gown and bedding ready. We'll need to move her when this is over."

Thorin nodded his head, and all except Dwalin rushed to help. He stepped in, his eyes filled with disgust. He had watched Thorin crumble bit by bit at this interloper's presence, and his fingers twitched in hopes of slicing him to pieces at Thorin's order—or despite it.

"Are we to run around at her lover's commands?" The king lowered his voice and faced his captain. "You'll do whatever he asks. You hear me? You promised and, by Durin, I'm holding you to it!"

Nodding sullenly, Dwalin bowed and went off to find a piece of chalk. Moving to the hearth, Thorin stooped at the hearth and picked among the coals. He found a piece that seemed to suit and brought it to the cloaked figure.

"Good," he said, whisking it from his hand. Pulling a mortar and pestle off a shelf, he pounded it down and ground it into a fine powder. "Where's that water?"

Oin bustled to bring him a glass, and he mixed it with care so that no residue remained. When he was ready, he walked over to Fili and Kili and nodded. They took hold of Relianna's arms, and she struggled against them weakly. It was clear to all that she was failing.

"Black henbane, dear one," he said in her ear. "You know what comes next, so hold on Flame-rider."

Supporting her back with one arm, he lifted her up by her shoulders and held the glass to her mouth. On the count of three, she winced and opened her mouth to drink the foul liquid. After one swallow, she gagged and tried to spit it out, twisting her neck and straining against Fili and Kili. The specter motioned to Thorin, and he came and held her head still while the hooded figure murmured endearments and encouragement. Some ran down her chin and splashed the front of her gown, but he got most of the brew down her throat. Thorin grabbed a cloth and wiped her mouth and chin. She gurgled and coughed but kept it down.

"Well done, sweetheart," the cloaked figure said with pride while edging Thorin aside. He pressed his lips to her forehead. "Well done, my dearest."

Thorin watched him with her and felt his heart crush in his chest. The healer shared an easy familiarity with her, one that Thorin hoped to have for himself in time. He railed silently at their obvious intimacy and felt like an unwanted outsider. Balin looked over, worry written on his face, but Thorin shook his head in despair, and Balin nodded. The missing piece in the game had come forward.

"What now?" Oin asked. Nella stood behind him with a quill, taking down all he had done.

"Now we wait for the charcoal to neutralize the poison," he said, running a weary hand over his forehead. "She'll need more, and it must go through her completely. After that, she'll need ground chalk in water to ease the pain in her belly. Then a bit of mint oil to soothe her throat. When she's past danger, she'll need to sleep. She may have more trouble, so I'll stay by her side."

Falling into a chair, he bent his head and rubbed his face with both hands. No one spoke or moved. His taking charge so completely unnerved them. To be ordered about when Thorin was in the room felt strange and wrong. Fili and Kili in particular stared in dismay at their uncle who seemed somehow diminished by the night's events. The others had made up the bed and now looked to the young healer for more instructions. The shift of power wasn't lost on anyone. Thorin walked over to lift her, but the hooded figure jumped to his feet with his arm barring Thorin's way.

"No, no one touches her but me."

Like holding a babe in his arms, he picked Relianna up and leaned to the side to help her head fit his shoulder. Dori pulled back the bed linens, and the specter lowered and positioned her tenderly. He called Nella over and asked her to help him put a new gown on her. They worked in silence, and the rest shifted while they listened to the sounds of Relianna's gown being removed. Thorin's fists bunched, and everyone could hear the hitches in his breath. The young healer stroked her face before he pulled up the sheets. After a relieved sigh, he walked over and bowed to the others who didn't know what to say to any of this.

"I thank you for coming to get me. It's a rare kindness that I can never repay, but when she recovers, we will leave and trouble you no more."

Their eyes swung to Thorin who walked up and squared his shoulders. The threat of her leaving forever roused him, and the strength of his Durin blood kept his back straight and his eyes fierce. He was rocked by the night's events but not broken.

"She's not going anywhere," he said in a low voice, "not anywhere."

The hooded figure drew himself up. He was taller than Thorin by at least an inch. "What charges could you possibly bring against her?" he asked. His voice was cold and forbidding.

Thorin tilted his head in mild surprise. This was unexpected and not how he thought their conversation would go. He had prepared himself for a fight but not this.

"Charges?" Balin asked from the side. "Why would you think we'd do such a thing to the lass?"

The specter turned to him and crossed his arms over his chest. His very posture radiated suspicion. "Isn't a mixed-blood blamed for every possible misfortune? Relianna's not responsible for whatever you're accusing her of, and I will take her away and keep her safe with me where she belongs. She belongs with me."

"She's done nothing wrong, but no, you won't take her from here," Thorin replied with absolute surety, "because I won't allow it."

The specter reached his hand into his bag and the princes to their swords. He looked over, saw them pull their swords partway out of their hilts, and slowly lifted his hand out and away. Clenching his fists, he exhaled in frustration.

"Who are you to hold her here?" he spat.

Thorin looked up into the his hood but saw nothing. It didn't matter what or who this healer was. The Heir of Durin would not be moved now any more than Erebor could pick itself up and march to the sea.

"I am the one who loves her," he said firmly. The specter recoiled and shook with anger.

"As what?" he shouted. He looked over as Relianna stirred and lowered his voice. "What is she to you? How dare you! You'll not insult her with an offer to be your whore!"

Thorin said nothing at first. His eyes betrayed his anger, but something had changed like a shift of the earth. He stood unyielding, having made a choice that revived his spirit and set his course. The two stood opposite each other in a battle of wills.

"I do not hold her here," he replied quietly, yet every word was clear. "She is here of her own choice. When she recovers she's free to leave with you if she wills." Facing his rival, his eyes burned with indignation. "But if you think I offered her insult, you're very much mistaken. I offered her my heart and my hand, and I will fight for that with my life."

Someday, her love. Someday, his joy.

Relaxing his stance, the specter looked around the room, stopping to appraise each face, and returning to Thorin. "Who are you to offer such a thing?" he asked, looking Thorin up and down and taking in his proud stance and bearing. The two face off against each other until Balin could stand it no longer.

"He's Thorin Oakenshield, King of Erebor."

The specter shook his head and stepped back. "That's not possible!"

Thorin made a fist so he could see the ring of Durin that glinted and glittered with rubies in the light.

"I assure you that I am," and he swept out his arm. "These are my nephews, the Princes of Durin, and this is my company."

Relianna groaned, and the specter moved back to her bed and took her pulse. She flinched, but he nodded in satisfaction.

"She's a little better. The pain will subside now." He back turned to Thorin and cocked his head. "She has no business here. Do you think your people will accept her? Only because she's veiled is she able to move freely. No, she belongs with me."

Although his words were firm, his tone had changed from angry to uncertain, an unlikely stance for a devoted lover. Dori looked over at Nori who shrugged while Bofur and Bombur looked puzzled. This exchange wasn't at all what they expected, and they shared Thorin's surprise.

"Do you know what's going on?" Bombur whispered to Bofur in the back. His brother scratched his chin and shrugged.

"No notion."

"We do," Kili piped up to answer the healer's earlier question. "It took us a while, that's true, but we grew to love her." Fili took his place next to his brother.

"Aye, she has both spirit and compassion. She even stood up to Onkra who'd been beating her for years."

One hearing that, the specter's knees buckled against the bed. He turned to Relianna with his hands on his head, and his cries filled the room.

"No! No! You didn't!" he said in anguish. "Oh, Mahal, you didn't!" She struggled to open her bleary eyes. "How can I ever live with myself now?"

A white hand groped along the sheets and tried to touch his sleeve. "G-golden Bear," she whispered, "I did what I must to s-save you."

He folded her in his arms and sobbed with his head to her chest while the others watched in astonishment. Crying out his pain, he rocked her in his arms until he had no tears left. After several long minutes, he reached into his hood and wiped his eyes, breathing in and out until he could speak.

"I believe that you are who you say you are, my lord," he said to Thorin. He offered another bow. "But I ask you again why you want her, King of Erebor, when you can have anyone? I see by the faces of your company and kin that you have conjectured the nature of my relationship with her. If you believe that to be true, would you challenge me for her even so? It's an unlikely position for any dwarf to take, much less a king."

Thorin nodded without hesitation. Something she had written in one of her letters rose in his memory, but whether he was right didn't matter.

"Aye," he replied, "because she won my heart, and I'll marry her no matter her past or present if she'll have me."

The dwarves jockeyed positions to watch this odd, little drama play out.

"Your people won't accept her," the young healer replied.

Balin broke in. "Well, it'll help certainly if Lord Dain accepts her as his daughter, his daughter with Tamra of the Iron Hills."

The specter's head whipped to Relianna who winced. He rubbed her back until she relaxed.

"That can't be," he said.

"No, it can't," Dwalin countered with a sneer. "I wasn't happy with the match but was willing to support it for Thorin's sake. Humph, but now that she has a lover on the side, I'm sick of it all!"

Thorin gritted his teeth and turned on his longtime friend. "Shut your mouth!"

Dwalin's jaw flapped open like an oven door. Thorin had never, ever talked that way to him before.

"I assure you it is," Balin said, choosing to ignore his brother's outburst. "We didn't believe it at first, but there was no denying the fact once we saw her."

"Bear," came a very small voice from the bed. He went over and chafed her hands. She was too weak to make sense of all that was happening, but she had heard enough and struggled through her exhaustion. "T-tell him, tell Dwalin that I l-love him, miner or smith, to the ends of the world."

Heads swiveled to Dwalin who looked stricken. He rubbed his mustache and beard, shifting uncomfortably as his face turned a sickly color.

"What is she saying, Dwalin?" Thorin asked in a dangerous tone. The warrior seemed to shrink before his eyes. "I had asked her if she loved you," he answered, his voice sounding like a distant rumble of thunder. "She gave me no answer then."

Thorin looked over at the bed with obvious relief and longing, but the specter shielded her from him.

"Flame-rider?"

With his words, the remembrance crystallized, and Thorin's mouth lifted on one side. He was right; he was sure of it now, and relief surged through his chest.

I am she who walks in shadows …

She squeezed her companion's hand and nodded. He put his forehead to hers and chuckled with amused disbelief.

"Very well then," he said light and carefree like the weight of the world had just tumbled off his shoulders. "It's what you've always wanted, sweetheart, although I never thought it would happen."

He walked over, and Thorin held out his hand. The specter looked down at it before responding.

"You figured it out?" he asked, and Thorin nodded. "Welcome to Erebor," he said with a pleased smile. "My lord," he added with a grin. The young healer laughed, took his hand, and shook it with both of his. "I had to be sure that your interest was sincere. I hope you understand." Thorin dipped his head.

"Will someone please tell me what this is about?" Fili asked with his hands on his hips. He flicked one hand at the young healer. "Who are you?"

Chuckling again, the specter pulled back his hood. He was extraordinarily handsome but had no beard—not even stubble—and the dwarves flinched at such an unnatural sight. He looked more like a man than a dwarf with smooth and even features, and he had large, blue eyes and black hair with blond roots.

"Blond like spun gold," Balin said as if in a dream. The masculine version of a face he'd not seen in many years materialized before him.

"You knew her?"

The old dwarf shook his head with his eyes on the ground while bittersweet memories drifted before his eyes. "Aye, I did, laddie, and I'll never forget such a one."

The young dwarf faced the others. It didn't take them long to see the resemblance.

"I am Frain, Relianna's twin, and, apparently, Crown Prince of the Iron Hills."

"Half of a whole," Thorin said with a satisfied nod.

Those who needed to stay worked throughout the night to tend to Relianna.. Meanwhile, Balin sent word to Bemma that all was well. After dawn, when the danger had passed, Dwalin approached Thorin with trudging steps and asked for a word. Thorin lifted his chin and stared coolly at his old friend.

"What is it?" He gave him no quarter, and Dwalin bowed his head in acceptance of his punishment.

"I was wrong, Thorin. I was wrong about the lass, and I'm sorry. I let Dain's words fester, but I should have known better."

"Aye. You should have."

"If you wish, I'll resign my post and leave Erebor."

Balin looked over and waited for Thorin to answer. He was within his rights to demand just that. Dwalin had acted against his king's wishes and his judgment. More than that, he had risked the trust of his best friend.

"In here," Thorin said, motioning to a doorway. He stood within it, and Dwalin had to turn sideways to enter. Thorin made his point in a subtle show of power.

"I won't deny that I'm disappointed in you, Dwalin. You should have trusted me—and her. However, I know our prejudices run deep and that many will still feel that way about her. I expect now that you will be her fiercest champion. If you cannot do so in good conscience, you need to leave."

Dwalin bowed his head.

"Aye," he said. He straightened up and looked Thorin in the eye. "Aye, I will. You deserve that—and so does she."

"Very well," Thorin replied without expression.

Dwalin sighed, and his shoulders slumped. "I'm an old fool. A stupid, old fool, Thorin. Forgive me."

A hint of a smile reached his king's lips.

"I've been one as well, old friend, and I forgive you. I'm too relieved to do anything else. It's forgotten."

Meanwhile, Balin chuckled merrily at Frain in the other room.

"It's not my fault!" Frain said while rubbing his bare chin. He heard a snicker behind him and glared at Fili who stroked his mustache and beard with exaggerated smugness. "It's not like I can't grow one, you know!"

Kili laughed and thumped Frain on the shoulder.

"Don't mind him, cousin," he said. He elbowed his brother who bumped him in return. "He just wants to show off."

Frain grew quiet. "Cousin? I haven't had anyone other than Flame-rider for years."

The rest had stopped to think on that when Nella decided to join the fray. "Why do you call each other those names?" she asked. Frain scrunched his mouth.

"Our real names would have given us away. Grandfather took Relianna, and I was given to a human family to raise as their own. They were friends of mother. She had saved the wife from a pox, so they took me in and followed grandfather in his travels, but always a few months later. I never knew why until now."

A weak voice called from the other room. She was groggy and more asleep than awake, and her brother walked back to see to her.

"Bear, hands."

He sighed. "I am well, sister."

"Hands, Bear."

"They're of no matter."

She grew more agitated as she started to wake, and she struggled to lift her head.

"Your hands, Bear! Your hands!"

Thorin strode over to the bed and held her shoulders. He reveled in what was now firmly his place and stroked her damp curls. Frain stood next to him and smiled at his tenderness.

"Hush, Relianna, your brother is safe and here with me. Lie still now."

He kissed her cheek and temple. She nodded and drifted off.

"'Someday, her love. Someday, his joy,'" Frain said.

Thorin looked took a step back in surprise.

"You know that?"

Frain nodded with a happy gleam in his eye. "I overheard Aunt Relia say that one day when she watched Relianna play." In response, Thorin called him over to a table, brought out his mother's book, and showed Frain their pictures.

"So she painted that shortly after," Frain said. "I'll love her forever for her kindness and support."

Thorin turned back a page, and Frain lost his breath. "That's you, isn't it?" Thorin asked with a light tap on the picture. "You with your grandfather?"

Frain nodded, and his eyes watered, although he pretended that he was tired.

"They colored my hair and shaved my beard, so I looked like a boy. Even Zozer doesn't know I exist. As long as I hid my hair, dirtied my face, and wore the clothes of a human, I could move about freely in the villages. Later Reli and I became healers and tried to hide ourselves in areas where plagues would keep others away. Then we would move on in the dark."

A petulant voice came from the bed. She had roused again.

"Hands, Bear. I want to see your hands!"

Thorin frowned. "What does she mean by that?"

Frain heaved a weary breath and walked over to the bed with Oin and Thorin behind him. "Don't upset yourself, sister. I am well."

"Hands!"

"No!"

She strained and struggled to brace herself on her arms. Brother and sister glared at each other without moving.

"Your hands, or no more charcoal!"

Groaning in surrender, Frain reluctantly peeled off his gloves. A large bruise covered the back of one hand, and many of his fingers had little bruises, some fresh and blue, and others yellow and green. Even the palm of one hand had bruises scattered along the base of his fingers.

"Oh, my Bear!"

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "You know how I hate pity, sister, so leave it be. I needed more than usual, so I ran out last week, but I'm well. Don't fear."

She shook her head and motioned to Oin. "Bring what you made, Oin, please!"

"What is this?" Thorin asked, motioning to the many bruises on his hands.

Frain took a deep breath. He wanted to hide them but exhaled hard, knowing that the truth would come out soon enough anyway. His new relatives might as well know now.

"I'm a bleeder, my lord," he said almost as an apology. He paused and smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Such a thing was extremely rare, and no one survived past five years. Dwarves prized their children and did everything they could, but their lives—mostly as miners or smiths—were too harsh for their such children to survive.

Oin's eyes flew open, and his bushy brows tangled in his hair.

"You're the only one I know of who's lived this long. I need to examine you thoroughly. I'm sure you have others."

Frain hung his head and nodded, cringing at his sister's shocked disapproval.

"Brother!" she cried. "You promised. Oh! You shouldn't have come! I knew it was too dangerous for you to follow me."

He huffed and stretched his neck to throw off her anger. "Don't go on now. You may be older by a full five minutes, sister," he shot back, "but I'm glad I did else you'd be dead now, so hush up and lie down!"

Balin sidled up to Thorin. "Well, this ought to be interesting. Looks like he's just as fierce." They watched the siblings quarrel with amused interest. Fili and Kili also watched intently and conferred on the side.

"He stands his ground well," Kili said. Fili nodded. "Who do you think will win?" he asked. Kili cocked his head. "I don't know. They're almost as bad as us." They watched the back and forth until Frain scored the last point with a devious grin.

"Lie down now before I give you an enema, sister. I know that Thorin would be de-lighted to help!"

"We'd be happy to pitch in!" the princes chimed. "What do you need us to do?" Kili added.

Frain smirked and arched one brow at his sister.

"Frain Tamrin Durin," she shrieked, "don't you DARE!"

After she simmered down to a low boil, Frain stepped away and reluctantly let Oin check his hands and arms. The others crowded around to watch.

"Do they hurt?"

"So how hard do you have to hit yourself before you bruise?"

"Is that why you wear gloves?"

He looked down and nodded. Their probing embarrassed him, but at least it was friendly.

"Where else do you have bruises?" Kili asked, giving him a look over.

Thorin huffed with annoyance at their behavior. Frain needed support and reassurance, and this wasn't it. "Leave him be," he said irritably. "He's our cousin, not a curiosity."

Frain shrugged, took off his cloak, and showed them the extra layers he wore. "My boots are padded as well."

"Oin, please," came Relianna's voice from the bed.

"Oh, aye!" He went back to the table and picked up the bottle. "She had this made for you," he said. "So it helps, eh? Your mother's discovery I'll wager."

Frain nodded and drank the contents, and all heard Relianna sigh with relief. Her brother squeezed the bottle in his hand and scowled before he marched back to her bed. Balin rolled his eyes.

"How dare you put yourself in harm's way for my sake!" he whispered with a shake of the bottle. "I'd rather have died than have you beaten so you could get this for me!"

Her bottom lip trembled, but she held his angry gaze. "I can't live without my Golden Bear."

He closed his eyes and turned away. Walking over to a chair, he fell into it and shook his head.

"Whatever am I to do with her?" he said to no one in particular. "She should never have risked her life for mine. She never said how she got the medicine for me, but since it's a mixture of clotting agents, it makes sense now why the healer would have given her a steady supply. Mahal, there had to have been a better way."

With groans and exclamations, the dwarves saw the last pieces of the picture fall in place. Frain needed large amounts of the herbs from the medicinal gardens at the Iron Hills, so Relianna became a maid and allowed Onkra's beatings—even taking those that others deserved—to have unlimited access them. Thorin walked over and stroked her hair.

"My sweet, brave Relianna."

She cried with her hands to her face, and he gathered her into his arms. He rubbed his chin on the top of her and murmured comforting words. He didn't care that her tears wet his tunic, and he thrilled that she clung to him.

"I wasn't brave," she said through sniffles. "I was so scared. He was the brave one. You don't know how he suffered. I didn't understand his condition and almost killed him more times than I could count. He was so weak afterward, yet he fought to hang on. He's the bravest dwarf I've ever known. Grandfather made me swear never to reveal him and to take care of him no matter what happened. I'm so sorry I deceived you, Thorin. I'm so sorry."

"He should never have held you to that, Reli! Never!" Frain snapped. "I hate that he asked that of you!"

Turning to him, Thorin said, "Don't be so hard on him. He knew he had to protect the heir to the throne."

Balin scoffed. "Only if Dain recognizes him, and that's not likely."

"Was he willing to at least see Relianna?" Frain asked. All shook their heads. "Bastard!"

Thorin laughed grimly. "Aye, that's what your sister said."

Some hours later, Relianna slept without pain, and Thorin called together those who remained.

"We have four problems to solve," he said after he gathered them around a table. "We need to catch Zozer before he tries again. He'll find out that he failed soon enough. We also need to keep him from finding out about Frain. Then we have to make Dain recognize them officially and expose Onkra as well."

"I want to handle her myself," Frain said. His lip curled with disgust.

The others considered their options, and their brows furrowed. This wasn't going to be easy to say the least. One of those problems was hard enough, but all four seemed impossible.

"We reclaimed Erebor, so we can do this too," Thorin said. "Onkra's not as bad as Smaug."

"Close," Kili said. Fili seconded with a shudder.

"Well," Dwalin offered after all had sat in silence for some time. "I have another idea."

"What was the first one?" Frain asked.

The others groaned and started to plan.

Jeez, I didn't think I'd take all morning and into the afternoon to rework this to make better sense! If you haven't read this before, please review! It would be nice to have new comments on the chapter! BTW, Frain has hemophilia. Black henbane is a real poison, and the remedies are real as well. Gotta keep it ... real.