Thank you to those who take time to read my story. I am loving writing this at the moment and am excited about the chapters to come. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Chapter 21

The day that followed went quickly and before Sara knew it, it was time to prepare for the Entertainment Night.
Sara truly had no idea what was appropriate to wear to such an occasion. As such, she took a modest approach that would ensure she neither looked formal nor casual. The dress that best suited this purpose was an understated hazelnut coloured dress with an emerald cloak. It was the cloak which formalised this outfit as it had golden trim and a gold clasp in the shape of a feather which held it together at the front. Sara put a bit more effort into her light brown hair than usual and ensured that her simple braids sat neatly on her head. She looked quickly in the mirror and decided that her appearance was as good as it was going to get, which in her eyes was plain but presentable. Sara was hopeful that her plain yet presentable appearance would allow her to go unnoticed amongst the nobles she would likely be surrounded by.

Before Sara had any time to think matter through further, there was a timely knock on her chamber door. She opened it to see her escort, Balin waiting for her with a smile.

They had built up a friendly rapport since the first time she had met him, and as such, made cheerful conversation as they walked down the passageways.

Entering the hall, it was grand and vast. It was set up as an arena theatre, with the audience seating being circular around the stage. There was one large steal lighting fixture which hung above the stage donned with many candles. Other than that, it was rather dark, with only occasional torches providing light along the walls and beside the steps that lead down to the stage. The room was already full of people who were mingling and drinking beer which was supplied curtesy of the crown.

Walking towards the area which was clearly designated for nobles, royalty and guests, Sara couldn't help but feel a stir of nervousness in her belly. The area was a little secluded from the rest of the crowd with it being raised above the other seating and a thin shroud which gave some privacy. Sara clutched her hands together as she followed Balin to the area. She could practically feel the scrutiny upon her as she was led to the prestigious seating. She could hear occasional murmurs questioning who she was and why she was sitting with the noble folk.

By the time Sara reached the noble's seating she already wanted to leave however thought better of it when she eyed a warm familiar face.

"I'll leave you here lass" Balin commented warmly as he made his quiet exit through the group of dwarfs.

Sara and Anne walked up to each other, equally glad for the other's company.

"I am so glad to see you. I did not expect to know anyone" Sara felt relieved.

Anne wore a wide smile and squeaked in excitement as she hugged Sara.

Anne whispered covertly into her ear "Prince Fili invited me!".

Sara drew back from the hug with a questioning look and Anne silently responded with a refrained yet completely excited nod, confirming that she spoke the truth.

"That is wonderful" Sara commented, genuinely happy for her friend. She eyed the gathering in the secluded area and found the young Prince watching Anne intently from a distance.

"Do not look now, but you are being watched by a certain Prince" Sara said with a teasing smile.

"Do not tease me Sara" Anne spoke as she hesitantly glanced to the side and saw Prince Fili who was indeed looking in her direction.

Anne looked coyly away and decided to change subject in hopes of taking the focus off of her. "And how are you feeling since proclaiming the almighty King as a foolish defective dwarf" Anne jibbed not too subtly.

"I still find the whole situation mortifying" Sara admitted. Mentally she winced at the awkwardness that entire situation had caused. Truthfully she was surprised her good friend had not made more fun of her.

As if on cue, Thorin entered the secluded seating area leading his sister formally by the arm. He wore a dark fur coat over a linen tunic, dark suede pants and a leather and bronze belt. Dis wore an elegant black dress and a fur coat which was rather similar to that which Thorin wore. Neither royal was dressed formally and Sara let out a sigh of relief that she had not completely misjudged to occasion. The nobles from the clans made way for the royalty, bowing as they walked past. In turn, the royals provided a greeting and politely thanked them for their attendance.

Next to Sara and Anne stood several other dwarrows who did dress formally with full skirts, elaborate braids and jewels hanging from their necks. They glanced at Sara and Anne and clearly thought themselves superior. One of the dwarrows rudely commented "It seems they let anyone in here these days" to which the other dwarrows chuckled. Sara was sure she heard one of them comment that they were likely a charity case. Sara decided to remain quiet, and ignored the overwhelming urge blast these arrogant dwarrows out of the theatre. After all, it would not make sense to make a scene.

As the King and Princess made their way through the small crowd, the arrogant dwarrows fluttered and gaggled about. They even pushed Anne and Sara out of the way to ensure they were in front to greet the King and the Princess. However as Thorin walked past he caught sight of Sara who looked to have been pushed back quite roughly. At this sight he stopped immediately without thought, turned and faced the offending dwarrows who thought all their luck at come at once as the King was about to address them.

"If you will excuse me, Lady Sara and Lady Anne behind you are guests of the crown and should be treated as such". He spoke diplomatically but there was no hiding the sharp edge of warning to his voice. Dis looked on in sterling silence agreeing with her brother completely and eyeing the other dwarrows coldly. She had no time or patience for such folk. She eyed the rude dwarrows with her nose slightly raised.

"Come, let us find our seats together" Dis spoke and gestured for Anne and Sara to come through and follow.

The offending dwarrows paled realising their mistake and stepped to the side allowing Sara and Anne to walk past them.

Sara and Anne quietly followed Thorin and Dis through the small group. They could feel curious eyes on them from every direction. The King's actions implied to all present that Sara and Anne were under the King's protection. Furthermore, the Princess's gesture of inviting Sara and Anne to follow, was significant also. It signified that these two dwarrows were special guests of the crown and should be regarded with the same respect. As disrespecting a crown guest was an act of disrespect to the crown itself.

After several scrutinising minutes, Sara and Anne were seated in the far side of the front row. The curve of the seating meant that Sara and Thorin were within sight of each other and likewise Anne and Fili within sight. While Anne and Fili made no attempt to hide the fact they were watching each other, Thorin and Sara did everything they could to avoid eye contact. They intently focused on conversations and those immediately around them, yet inevitably their eyes would betray them and would stray to the very person they were trying not to watch. However as chance would have it, they never caught the other looking.

Sara found herself admiring the handsome features of the King in the slightly darkened theatre against her better judgement. Meanwhile Thorin watched Sara and wondered why it was that he was so interested in this particular dwarrow. He couldn't help but admit to himself that she did look enticing in the light of the theatre, her skin was seemingly unblemished and her hair almost held a copper colour in the candlelight.

The murmurs of the theatre ceased when a dwarf sounded a horn which signalled the beginning of the Entertainment Night.

The Entertainment Night was essentially a talent contest, where the Princess was able to pick the winner. There was singing, music, acting and comedy. There were also some obscure acts which included tricks with an axe, fire play and even eating challenges.

When the crowd hated an act, they would throw things onto the stage in an effort to get them to exit. One poor dwarf was savagely ejected off stage when he tried to tell jokes including: "What do you call a chubby dwarf?"... "Low Fat" and "Why shouldn't you piss off a dwarf?"…. "Because he's got a short temper".

When the crowd loved an act you could tell because no sounds could be heard from the crowd.

Unintentionally, Sara found her gaze wandering from the act to that of the King curious to see his reaction. She was pleasantly surprised to see him laugh several times which then brought a smile to her face as well. It was nice to see him enjoying himself.

Before Sara knew it, the last act was about to start. It was a small dwarfling and he made his way on stage slowly. Once he was under the candlelight of the stage, both Sara and Thorin let out an audible gasp as the dwarfling was Bray. Both Sara and Thorin turned to look at each other wide eyed, both stunned and excited that young Bray was about to perform.

Bray looked so small on the stage. His eyes were looking at his feet and his hands were clasped together. Slowly he lifted his head making eye contact with the seats which surrounded him, cleared his throat nervously and started to sing. The crowd was instantly silent as young Bray sounded like a gift from Mahal himself with a voice that was almost too beautiful to be real.

Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.

Thorin's eyes widened instantly in recognition of the song. It was called Far Over the Misty Mountains, a song that held such significance in the dwarvian culture with the words about Erebor and the dragon, but also held such a personal significance as well. He had not sung it since the beginning of the quest to reclaim Erebor all those years ago and hearing it again brought a chill straight up his spine. It signified the suffering and hardships of his people, the struggle they went through collectively. But hearing it in this setting seemed to provide another dimension to the song; how far they had all come since.

The dwarves of yore made mightly spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.

Sara's mouth was agape as she listened to the song that was so ingrained in their culture. She had however never heard it sung through the mouth of an innocent babe. It almost made the song more haunting than it already was. The hairs on her arms and neck were standing on edge and she was frozen in place.

For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.

The entire crowd was hypnotised by young Bray as his voice waivered momentarily before continuing.

On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.

Listening to the song coming from Bray, Thorin was moved. He couldn't help but be transported back to the day that Smaug attacked and all the emotions he bottled up were rising to the surface.

Far over the misty mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.

Goblets they carved there for themselves,
And harps of gold; where no man delves,
There lay they long, and many a song,
Was sung unheard by men or elves.

The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light.

At this point an emotional Sara looked across to Thorin and was surprised to witness tears silently rolling down his cheeks. What struck Sara most was the vulnerability Thorin was showing. His eyes glistened in the candlelight but they did not move from Bray. It was like the dwarfling had transported him to a time full of pain and anguish.

The bells were ringing in the dale,
And men looked up with faces pale,
The dragon's ire more fierce than fire,
Laid low their towers and houses frail.

Sara didn't even realise but at this point she had tears silently rolling down her cheeks as she was also so moved by Bray singing the song, but also watching Thorin's tears. It made her heart break for him.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon,
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom,
They fled their hall to dying fall,
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.

Thorin blinked once, as he had surrendered himself to all the emotions that this song held for him. Without even meaning too, his eyes drifted across to Sara who was watching him intently. As soon as their eyes connected it was as if time stood still and the rest of the world had disappeared. Thorin instantly saw that Sara too was overcome with emotion from the song. Instead of looking away from each other, they held each other's gaze in a silent understanding. They were without armour or mask. There was no pretence or distraction. No, in that moment, Sara and Thorin bared their souls. In that moment, both Sara and Thorin saw each other truly for the first time.

Far over the misty mountains grim,
To dungeons deep and caverns dim,
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him.

They continued to hold one another's gaze even after young Bray had finished singing. There was complete silence in the theatre for a few moments before everyone erupted in a loud applause. It was only then that Sara and Thorin broke eye contact and both stood up to join the crowd in appreciation for what the boy had delivered, wiping away their tears before they too joined in with the clapping.

Once the applause had quietened down, Dis stood up from her chair in a commanding fashion.

"Thank you for everyone who was come forward tonight and made our Entertainment Night such a success. I can however only award one winner, and I believe that this has been a standout performance. Please come forward Bray Longbeard, you are most definitely the winner".

Thorin and Sara stole one final glance at each other that night before they went their separate ways. They exchanged a small smile that lasted not a second, however the way they felt was indeed different. It was like something had irrevocably shifted between them and they both knew it.