'What are you doing, Thorin?' Meta asked outraged. 'I thought you were going to give him his share. And Bard is right, if there are stolen items in the Treasury, they should be returned!'

Thorin turned to her, his face red and angry. 'I know I said I would, but that was before I saw his face. He makes me so angry with his demands! It was almost as though my tongue refused to say the words my brain intended.' Thorin still did not want to give up any treasure, but in order to keep the truce with Meta he had agreed that at least some gold would be produced when demanded.

Meta didn't need to ask who 'he' was. Thorin had rarely interacted with Bard and those times had been cordial. 'So now you will not pay? We will never leave here until you do dragon meat or no. Thranduil will camp out there for as long as it takes. He is even more stubborn than you!'

'It will be my pleasure to watch his skinny hide ice over. We'll see how long he lasts,' Thorin retorted.

'Save me from the pigheadedness of both of you!' Meta snarled as she stormed away.

From a spot near the Gate, Bilbo watched this latest exchange. His hand again in his front pocket, he realized that he was going to have to do something drastic if he ever wanted to see the Shire again.

Brin dismissed Dorlie for the night. 'It has been a long day, boy. Go and get some rest. It sounds as though we will be camped here for quite some time.' It had been Mariel herself who had told Brin of the latest meeting with the dwarves.

'Thranduil is intent on receiving his share. We will not be leaving until he has it,' the elf said.

Now Dorlie slunk toward the royal tent one last time to see if he could learn any more. For once, Bard was not present when he peered through his favorite hole in the tent side. Thranduil sat in his chair with Sadron standing before him. 'It is time to use our guest, Sadron. See that she is ready to accompany us back to the gate when we return. Meta, at least, will not want to see her mother a prisoner.'

Sadron bowed, 'Yes, Sire. I will inform Mariel.'

Before Dorlie could hear anything else, a tall elf guard grabbed him by the ear and twisted. 'If I catch you here again, Dorlie, I will tell Thranduil. He is not nearly as understanding as Bard!' He let the boy go and pointed away from the tents. 'Go, before I change my mind.'

Dorlie raced away from the royal tents. He couldn't bother Brin at this hour. What was he to do? He doubted Bard would stand against his ally. There was only one other thing to try. He crept through the camp and stood at the edge closest to the mountain. After watching the sentries for a time, he slowly crawled among the rocks until he was clear of their line.

He finally dared to stand upright and slink toward the dragon gate. Soon he faced a small stream that he would need to wade through. Even as he braced himself against the cold, he heard a splash and saw where the water roiled as though someone had fallen in. This was shortly followed by a sneeze. Something about that high childlike sound was familiar. His mind drifted back to a pleasant day on a lake boat in the company of dwarves and one hobbit!

'Bilbo,' he hissed, 'Is that you?'

At first there was no answer, but then a sodden hobbit came from behind one of the rocks along the shore. 'Dorlie, what are you doing here? Are you with the army?' Bilbo managed to say before he sneezed again. He had fallen in the stream and now he was freezing.

'Quiet, there are guards not far away. I want to talk to Meta and Thorin,' the boy urged. 'What are you doing here?'

'I want to speak with Bard. Thorin will keep us holed up here for ages, and I want to go home!' the hobbit said plaintively. 'And they shouldn't be fighting each other!'

Dorlie stared at him. 'And just what makes you think you can change all this when the folk that matter cannot?'

'I-I have something that Thorin treasures. I thought perhaps if Bard had it a trade could be made,' Bilbo stammered awkwardly.

'I have a better idea. There is someone I think you need to meet….

'Dorlie, I know I have given you great privilege, but this is a bit more than I can tolerate,' Brin snapped when Dorlie awakened her from sleep.

'I would never dare this for any other reason, Brin, but I there is something you need to know.' He dragged Bilbo over to her bed. 'This is a member of the company from the mountain. He has something of Thorin's to give to Bard, and I overheard Thranduil threatening to use you against him, too!'

Brin sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the pair before her. 'Give him a blanket, Dorlie, he's all wet! Now, little one, what do you have that Thorin treasures so?' She put out a demanding hand to Bilbo.

He reluctantly put his hand in his pocket. 'I didn't really mean to take it. I figured since I was due one share, this would satisfy that. I know how much it means to Thorin, but I want to go home and I don't want to fight the elves!'

His extended hand held a large jewel that flashed and glimmered in the pale light. Brin had been a jeweler most of her days, and she had never seen a finer stone. Her heart beat faster. Long ago tales flitted through her brain. She may have severed relations with dwarves, but she still knew the legends. 'Please tell me that isn't the Arkenstone, Bilbo was it?'

Bilbo hung his head in shame. 'Yes. I took it from the dragon's hoard before Thorin or the others could find it. He has been frantic for it ever since. Part of me wonders if that isn't why he's so angry.'

'And he has every right to be angry! The Arkenstone is the treasure of Erebor. Do you not realize what a betrayal this is? You would give this,' she indicated the stone, 'his most important treasure to be used against him? What has he done to earn such a betrayal?'

'But I want to leave and his greed is the only thing stopping me.' Bilbo cried.

'Is it? You cannot walk away? I doubt the Elves would stop you. After all, you walked boldly into their camp unseen. They would probably even help. Why don't you just leave?'

'I-I never thought to try. And I want them to make peace,' the poor hobbit explained.

Brin laughed wryly. 'This is most certainly not the way to do it. Nothing will anger a dwarf more than the theft of his treasure. In some ways we are much like dragons; we protect what is ours with our last breath. When you saw how Thorin was, why didn't you give it to him instead of bringing it here? I hate to think what use Thranduil will make of it if it falls into his hands!'

Here Dorlie interrupted. 'That isn't all Thranduil is going to make use of! I heard him tell Sadron to have 'his guest' ready to go to the Gate when they return!'

Both Brin and Dorlie knew what that meant. 'I will not be a pawn in these games. You, Bilbo, can you take me to these dwarves tonight? Even if I cannot change their minds, I will be with my daughter!'

'I-I don't know. I'm not very good at all this,' Bilbo said.

'I will get you there, Brin,' Dorlie promised. 'I was almost there already tonight when I ran across Bilbo sneaking out. What is the guard situation at the Gate, Bilbo?'

If there had been enough light, they would have seen Bilbo blushing. 'I am supposed to be on guard. I tricked Bombur into trading with me. There is no one at the Gate.'

Brin shook her head. 'Tsk, Bilbo. We are fortunate that the Men and Elves are patient for you have left the door unlocked in perilous times. Now give me that stone, and we will see how things are going on the other side of this rather foolish argument.'

Slowly Bilbo handed over the Arkenstone. Had she not been a dwarf nothing would have made him surrender it, but her words about Thorin rang true. Maybe there was something she could do to stop all this. Brin went behind a screen to put on suitable clothes and Dorlie and Bilbo stood near the tent flap.

'Why does Thranduil think this Brin can be used against Thorin, Dorlie?' Bilbo asked.

'Oh, didn't you hear her say? Brin is Meta's mother. I suppose he thinks that since Meta is a member of the company that Thorin will not want to see her suffer.' Dorlie did not know that Thorin and Meta were related. It had never been mentioned in Lake-town.

Before Bilbo could blurt out the truth, Brin reappeared. 'Now, Bilbo, go see if there is anyone around before Dorlie and I leave. You are so small you will attract less notice.'

Too stunned by what he had just learned to think straight, Bilbo nodded and left the tent. He did not think there was anyone around until a hand grabbed his collar. 'Bilbo Baggins, what in Middle-earth brings you here? Burglaring?' said a deep, familiar voice.

Following the arm that was attached to the hand, Bilbo found himself staring into the face of Gandalf! 'Um, no, just visiting 'er seeing the sights. And what about you? Why have you not come to the mountain to help us?' the hobbit exclaimed.

'I arrived only a short time ago to find Thorin sitting on his treasure like a goose on her eggs. You must tell me what all this bother is about. ' He dragged Bilbo along behind away from Brin's tent.

'Thorin owes Thranduil a share of the treasure but doesn't want to pay an elf especially Thranduil. Meta is trying to change his mind, but I do not know if she will have any luck. Please don't tell the dwarves I was here, Gandalf, they don't know anything about it,' Bilbo pleaded.

'I won't as long as you cease your spying. I will visit Thranduil in the morning and see if we can resolve this before it is too late. Now run along back to the mountain and don't get caught!'

Glad to have escaped with so few consequences, Bilbo put his ring on and raced to catch up with Dorlie and Brin. He had watched as they slipped out of the tent while he spoke with Gandalf.

'Well, that was unexpected,' the dwarf said as she watched the hobbit's departure. 'It looks like it is up to the two of us, Dorlie. Please lead the way.'

Retracing his steps, Dorlie led her toward the mountain. Two lanterns had been placed in the eye sockets of the skull and they gleamed menacingly. 'What do we do now, Brin? Bilbo isn't on guard but perhaps there is someone there now!' he whispered. Before she could answer, they heard the swift patter of feet behind them. Bilbo had removed the ring and stood behind them.

'Let me go in first. If someone is there, I will make up an excuse, if not I will go find Thorin,' the hobbit gasped. He had raced at full speed in order to reach them. Without waiting for a reply, Bilbo covered the area before the skull and climbed cautiously between the teeth. Once past them, he paused a moment and waited for a sword blow to fall or a voice to challenge him. When none came he breathed a sigh of relief. No one had discovered his absence.

Walking through the doors and out into the Great Hall, he noticed a light under a door down a side passage. He moved quickly toward it and hoped that Thorin was on the other side.

Meta once again made another temporary peace with her father. Although she had lived without one all her life, once she located hers she realized she liked having a father around. So after she calmed down from her outburst, she found Thorin in his usual place in a small room off the Great Hall.

Neither one said anything when she entered and sat in a chair near his. They sat in silence for a short time. To break the quiet, Thorin asked the question he had never dared to ask before.

'Meta, why didn't Brin want to live with dwarves?'

She was surprised they had not talked about this before, but it was as good a time as any. Also there was no way it would lead to an argument. 'After we left Rivendell, we lived near Bree for a short time, but it was too hard. Dwarves would pass through on occasion, and she stared at every one hoping to find Frer's face, your face, Thorin. Obviously she never found it. Even away from dwarves, I don't think she ever really stopped looking,' she said bluntly.

Remembering his own search, Thorin said quietly, 'Neither did I. When this is all settled, we will go to her.'

'It would end more quickly if you give Thranduil his share and promise Bard his property back,' she pointed out.

Thorin sighed. 'If only it wasn't that particular elf! I have long despised him and the thought of him having my gold….' He didn't finish the sentence. His fists unconsciously clenched on the arms of his chair.

'Then we will sit, and my mother will wait for her Frer even longer.'

Before Thorin could reply to this very valid point, there was a knock at the door. 'Come in,' Thorin said.

Bilbo pushed the door open. 'I am sorry to bother you, Thorin, but there is someone at the gate for Meta.'

Puzzled, Thorin and Meta both rose. 'Who is it, Bilbo? Who would be here for Meta?'

'Actually, it is Dorlie from Lake-town. He wants to see Meta,' Bilbo improvised. He knew the next few moments would be very unsettling for all concerned, but he thought Meta should see her mother before Thorin.

'I cannot imagine what the boy wants, Meta. You two go on ahead. I will follow shortly,' Thorin said as he returned to bank the fire for the night. Neither one was particularly surprised that the eager lad had turned up at Erebor.

Bilbo wove his way through the teeth once again with Meta close behind. When they were outside, he pulled Meta down to his level and hissed, 'It's your mother, Meta. Brin is here with Dorlie!'

For a moment, Meta's world tilted and then righted itself. Only a short time before, Thorin had been planning to find Brin and now she was here in person. She saw the two figures standing to one side and quickly walked toward them. 'Amad, is that really you?'

Brin hurried over and hugged her daughter to her. 'Yes, dearest, it is. What in Middle-earth are you doing here?'

'It is a very long story, but what are you doing here? The last I knew, you had buried yourself in the North with no intention of ever moving another foot again!' Meta exclaimed.

'As did I, Meta, but weeks ago I received a letter from Lord Elrond. He told me to go with the bearers of the message and that I was needed. He said nothing else! After all he has done for us, I could not refuse,' Brin told her.

'Elrond is known for his foresight, Amad. There may be more to this than a family reunion, but for now, I will take it as that!' She hugged her mother to her again. 'There is one other thing you must know, Amad.' Before Meta could continue and tell her about Thorin, she felt Brin stiffen and gasp.

'Frer! It's Frer, Meta!' her mother cried.

Meta realized that Thorin must have followed her out through the dragon's teeth. He stood behind her now staring at a face peering over his daughter's shoulder. 'Brin! My Brin. Is it really you?' Although a hundred years had passed, he immediately knew the face of his Only One.

Brin pulled herself from Meta's embrace and walked slowly towards a face she had searched for so fruitlessly over the decades. When she reached him, she put out a hand, gently stroked his cheek and ran her hand down his now gray beard. 'Oh, Frer, where have you been all these years?' Without waiting for his reply, she leaned over and pressed her lips to his. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him as he returned the kiss.

Meta watched the reunion with tears in her eyes. This was what being One was like. Even though she stood several feet away from the pair, she could sense the emotion that bound them together. When their kiss ended, they still remained in the embrace.

Finally Thorin was able to bring himself to let Brin go. 'How did you get here?' he managed to ask at last.

'Perhaps we would all be more comfortable inside?' Meta suggested. She had noticed a very interested Bilbo and Dorlie observing the scene. 'You two will excuse us, I'm sure. Bilbo, why don't you get Dorlie something to eat and a place to sleep? We will see you both in the morning.'

Thorin's common sense reasserted itself. 'Most definitely, Meta. Why don't we return to the study so all the tales can be told.' Without letting go of Brin, he led her carefully through the dragon's teeth and back to the room he had left such a short time ago. He settled his One on a bench and sat next to her staring intently into her eyes while tightly gripping her hands.

Meta stirred up the fire and pulled a chair over to face the happy couple. 'There is something you need to know, Amad, about Frer.'

'I know everything I need, daughter, now that he is here with me at last.' Brin snuggled into Thorin's arm and smiled up at him.

'Well, there is one thing,' Thorin said. 'My name isn't Frer.' At last he had said it. 'It is Thorin Oakenshield.'

Brin's brow wrinkled and she pulled a tiny bit away from him. 'I don't understand. Even I have heard of Thorin Oakenshield! He is a mighty warrior and heir to the throne of Erebor. Stop teasing me, Frer. It was the one thing about you that I didn't like,' she complained.

'He isn't teasing, Amad. Frer really is Thorin, the heir to Erebor. His father made him swear an oath to never reveal his identity when he was on the road. That is how this whole disaster started all those years ago,' Meta explained.

Still confused, Brin stared first at her daughter and then at her long lost love. 'You are Thorin Oakenshield? King Under the Mountain? The heir to Erebor?'

'Yes, dearest, any of those will work, although I prefer Thorin,' Thorin said with a smile.

Brin shook her head as if to clear it. 'Did Thranduil know all this?' When they nodded at her she said, 'No wonder he wanted me to be happy! He must have thought he could use me somehow.'

At the mention of Thranduil's name, Meta's eyes darted to Thorin's face, but he continued to smile down at his Brin. He saw the look and told her, 'I find myself having to be grateful to that dratted elf, Meta. Without him, it would have been months before I got this reunion.' He kissed Brin again.

Meta was ecstatic to hear these words. 'Then you will give him his reward when he returns?' she asked hopefully.

'Reward, what reward?' interrupted Brin.

'Ah, we made a deal with Thranduil a few weeks ago. If he supplied us with certain items and saw to it that we reached the mountain, he would be richly rewarded when Smaug was dead,' Thorin explained.

'And he has been refusing to do so even though I promised,' exclaimed Meta. She still resented him making her seem to break her word.

'Why Frer, er Thorin,' Brin said, 'that is most dishonorable. You must pay your debts!'

'We can discuss that in the morning. And you may call me Frer if that is easier for you,' he said, besotted by her presence.

'I know you'll do the right thing, Frer, you always did.' Brin said.

Meta had hoped for a quick resolution to the payment, but it was not to be. 'I don't know why this has to be dragged out any longer,' she said in frustration. Her words were ignored by the two on the bench. They were too involved in yet another kiss to notice their daughter. Smiling to herself, Meta rose and quietly left the room. One hundred years was long enough to wait.

Meta returned to her room to find Bofur asleep on the bed. Remembering the emotions she had seen reflected between her now united parents, she looked on him with new eyes. Was that how she felt? If they had been separated for one hundred years, would she have searched every face hoping to find his? Damn it, I still don't really know, she thought. When she had declared her love, it had seemed to finally be the truth, but his love for her was so overwhelming that at times she still doubted.

Instead of lying in bed next to him, she settled into a chair to think. As if sensing her presence, Bofur turned restlessly in the bed. 'What are you doing, Meta? Why are you trying to sleep in the chair?' He pushed himself up and stared at her warily. Yet again he sensed her doubts.

Slowly she moved to his side and kissed his cheek. 'It has been a disturbing night, Bofur. Dorlie brought my mother from the army camp. Thorin has his Brin back!'

'But what is so disturbing about that? I would think that would make both of you very happy,' Bofur exclaimed.

'Oh it does. That isn't it.' She fell silent and said no more.

'Well?'

'It was seeing them together, Bofur. They have not met for a hundred years and yet it was as though they had never parted. When you see them you will understand. It is like looking at one person not two. They are truly One,' she stumbled through her explanation.

'And you don't think that we are the same way?' he asked sadly.

She looked at his sad expression. 'Not really, no. I have to be honest, Bofur, I just don't see the same thing between us. I think you feel that way, but I can't seem to find it in myself!' Even as she said the words, her heart rebelled. She did love him.

'Would you like me to leave, Meta?' Now it was his heart that lurched in his chest. What if she said yes?

Slowly she reached out and took his hand. 'No, I do not. Maybe we have a different kind of One. Perhaps I should stop seeking what others have and try to see what we have.' She brought his hand to her lips and kissed it gently.

He cupped her face with his other hand and brought his lips to hers. 'I think that is a wonderful idea, Meta. Stop trying to find some unattainable ideal and live in the moment, this moment.' He kissed her once, twice, three times. She sighed and relaxed into his caresses.

'What a delightful idea,' she sighed.

As always, your reviews and thoughts appreciated.