Thorin finally tore himself away from Elmyra late in the morning. 'Don't worry about me, dearest, I want to take a bath.' When he offered to scrub her back, she laughed. 'Balin probably has steam coming out of his ears by now. I wouldn't dare delay you any further.' She kissed him soundly and sent him on his way.

He was pleased to see the guards outside the Royal Chambers. Two stood by the door and another two were further down the hall. One of these assumed a position behind the king as he walked by. He stopped for a moment to speak to the remaining guard. 'I assume you will accompany the Queen?' he asked.

'Yes, Your Majesty. One of us will be with her at all times.'

'Very good. She may try and order you away. Do not listen to her. Only Balin or myself may relieve you of your duty, understood?' Thorin knew Elmyra would probably hate this latest arrangement.

'Understood, Your Majesty. Lord Balin said the same thing. We will not leave her alone.' The guard bowed.

Thorin nodded in acknowledgment and continued on trailed by his new shadow. He didn't care much for it either.

When he reached the Great Hall, he found Bofur regaling a group of new arrivals with the news of the day before. 'Almost cut his hand off, and then she hog-tied him and dragged him out here! Most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.' Bofur waved the "Lightweight Elven Blade" for emphasis. 'She used this to fend off giant spiders in Mirkwood and then she walked into Thranduil's prison as bold as brass to rescue us. We couldn't have a nobler Queen!' He looked startled when he noticed Thorin listening, but Thorin nodded his head, winked, and hurried on his way. The "Lightweight Elven Blade" was being well taken care of and used to good advantage!

….

Elmyra walked out the door of the Royal Chambers and stopped short at the sight of the guards. 'Good afternoon, I presume this is the order of the day now?' she asked.

'Yes, Your Majesty. We will stand guard from now on.' The guards stood at attention and nodded in respect.

'Thank you,' was all she could think to say. As she moved down the passage, the remaining guard turned and followed her. Knowing it would be useless to protest, Elmyra continued silently on her way. Part of her was grateful. She didn't want to face another assailant in a dark hallway. Once was enough.

When she reached the Great Hall, it was alive with dwarves exchanging ever more elaborate versions of her encounter with Gripp. She noticed that Bofur and Nori were both surrounded by crowds of listeners. She shook her head. Who knew what those two had come up with? As they became aware of her presence, the room quieted and the dwarves nearest her began to bow in respect. Some had already done this for her before, but now it seemed the vast majority were participating. What a difference a day and a defeated foe make.

One of the ladies who had never approved of her pushed her way through the crowd. She bowed deeply before Elmyra and asked, 'Are you alright, Your Majesty? We heard of your terrible ordeal! I want you to know that I fully support you as Queen! That Gripp had no right to harm you,' she cried.

Elmyra did her best not to stare at her in shock. What a change! 'Thank you, Layta, I am fine. I only needed a good night's rest.' She continued through the crowd which parted like the Red Sea at her advance. More dwarves called out their best wishes and congratulations. She smiled and nodded hardly daring to believe it all.

At last she reached Balin's room and slipped inside. He and Thorin were huddled over the table as usual studying the mass of parchments piled there. 'Ah, here you are! How are you, Elmyra?' Balin asked.

'Bewitched and befuddled by the change in Erebor,' she replied. 'Did someone come and cast a spell yesterday? I have never had so many friends in my life!'

Balin looked puzzled. He had arrived in his chamber early that morning and had not left it. 'What do you mean? Nothing has changed that I am aware of.'

Elmyra laughed. 'You need to get out more. I walked through the Hall just now and I thought they were going to pick me up on their shoulders and carry me around the room chanting my name in a victory lap! It makes no sense! Yesterday someone tried to kill me because I wasn't a proper queen and today it seems I can do no wrong!'

Thorin laughed. 'I am not sure, but I suspect Bofur's tale of your courage and bravery have convinced a few of your detractors.' He told the astonished pair what he had witnessed earlier. 'It sounds like Nori is helping him spread the word. I will have to be careful or I will lose my throne to you, Little Cat.'

'That is all well and good, Thorin, but will it cement the guilds to us? It sounds like it will help, but they can be very stubborn. With the dinner postponed, it could mean they retreat from supporting you.' Balin was always the voice of doom.

Elmyra spoke. 'Why don't we have the masters for a private dinner? Explain that my 'weakened condition' caused you to cancel the big event, but that I was able to scrape together enough energy so that they would not be disappointed.' She placed her hand to her forehead to mime extreme distress and grinned at Thorin. He remembered her energetic response to him that morning and smiled back.

Balin looked from one to the other. 'Not a bad idea. They will be flattered at the exclusive invitation and that you are willing to make such a 'sacrifice' for them. Will tomorrow be too soon? Bombur was already well advanced with the plans for the big dinner so this one should be easy.'

'Let's do it,' said Thorin. 'If we can get them to sign an agreement right after that, it will truly be a celebratory occasion when we do have the bigger meeting.' He walked over to Elmyra and kissed her full on the lips. 'How did I ever manage without you, my love?'

Before she could answer someone knocked at the door. 'Enter,' Thorin called.

A dusty messenger pushed open the door and hurried in. 'I have a message from Lord Dwalin, Your Majesty.' He handed a scroll to Thorin and bowed to Elmyra and Balin.

'You may go. Get some food if you wish, but remain near in case I have a reply.' Thorin began to unroll the message. The dwarf bowed again and departed. Thorin ran his eyes quickly over the parchment. 'They are about a week out, Balin! He has over two hundred guild and craft members with him and more are following! That should help with the final agreement. The masters will want everything settled before their members arrive.' He read further. 'And Dis is with him! Elmyra, you will be able to meet my sister at last. I wasn't certain if she would come right away or not, but Dwalin says she was eager to join him. I haven't seen her in over a year. Fili and Kili will be excited to hear their mother is on her way.'

Elmyra had mixed emotions. 'That's wonderful, Thorin, I can't wait to meet her,' she said hesitantly. She only hoped that Thorin's sister would accept her as the crowd outside apparently had. 'I must go see Meladil. We have started preparing rooms, but it sounds like we will need to work a little faster.' She kissed Thorin, nodded at Balin and left the room.

She waded her way through the admiring crowds. Bofur had his back to her as she neared. 'It's a miracle she is alive. Bleeding from her wounds, she brought the offender with her so he could face the King's justice.' Elmyra suppressed a smile and did her best to look regal. The crowd became quieter at her approach and it was easy to hear the two stories being told. Nori's was even more outrageous than Bofur's if that were possible.

'Lord Bofur (all the Company were lords now, thanks to their high achievements) may I have a word with you and Lord Nori in private?' she asked.

Bofur turned guiltily at the sound of her voice, but he quickly recovered. 'But of course, Your Majesty. It is good to see that you have risen from your sick bed so soon after the vicious assault of only yesterday.' He presented her with his arm and picking up Nori along the way, they retired to the Gathering Room.

As soon as they entered the room, Elmyra gave up any pretense of royalty and buried her face in her hands. 'We're sorry, Elmyra, we didn't mean to offend.' Bofur was appalled that he had made her cry.

Her shoulders were shaking and she shook her head. 'Oh, Bofur, I have never had such a hard time not laughing!' She raised her head so that they could see that the tears were not from sorrow. 'I have never heard so many well crafted lies in so few sentences in my life!' She had to sit in a chair. Struggling to keep from laughing too loud, she covered her mouth again with her palms. 'You have the entire mountain riveted with my glorious travails!' More giggles burst out of her.

'Well, it was the least we could do. Balin said that we should let everyone know what happened. I might have gone a bit far, but they seemed to be enjoying it.' Bofur watched as Elmyra dissolved even further in gales of quiet laughter.

'A bit far? I heard Nori saying that it was a group of three and that the other two had been taken out and fed to the ravens!'

The two dwarves joined her in laughter. 'We might have gone a little over the top!' Nori smirked, 'but it was a lot of fun. I am always amazed at what folk will believe. I promise I will tone it down a little.'

'Me too, Elmyra. Is there anything we can do to make it up to you?' Bofur asked.

She looked at the guilty pair. 'Now that you mention it, I want to go down to the Treasury before the dinner Thorin is planning with the guild masters. Meladil would go, but I know she is very busy at the moment. Why don't you two come with me? It will be like old times.' Her face lost the laughing look. 'I've missed you guys; the whole Company for that matter. All this queen stuff seems to get in the way.'

'We've missed you and Thorin, too. We've barely seen him in other than in public since you disappeared,' admitted Nori.

'We will happily serve as your honor guard tomorrow morning, Your Majesty!' Bofur gleefully used the hated title. 'Lord Bofur at your service!'

'Lord Nori also at your service,' Nori tried to intone solemnly. It only made the trio laugh harder.

Elmyra gasped for air and finally managed to squeak out, 'Meet me in the Great Hall after breakfast. It will take awhile for this lazybones to make the trip. We will need to start early.'

They finally got their laughter under control and Elmyra continued on her way to see Meladil.

'Meladil, we need to work even harder.' She explained the plan for the next night's dinner. 'And Thorin has received word that Dwalin and over two hundred dwarves will be here within a week. His sister Dis is coming also! We need to be ready. I wouldn't want to disappoint her.' This led her to think how easily Dis might be disappointed. Did she even know Elmyra existed? When Dwalin left for the Ered Luin, Elmyra had already disappeared without a trace. She needed to talk to Thorin about the whole situation.

Meladil sensed her rising nervousness. 'Don't worry, my lady. Most of the rooms are ready. I will find out which ones were Dis's old rooms from one of the older dwarves. There are a few who were here before. If they don't know, you will have to bother Thorin. Then you and I can go there after the guild dinner and make sure everything is ready.'

Her soothing tone worked. 'You are right. How terrible could she be? Fili and Kili turned out fine and she is their mother. I'm sure she will be happy just to be back at Erebor with Thorin and her sons.' She pushed those thoughts aside and moved to another topic. 'Can everything be ready for tomorrow? If this is a success, most of Thorin's worries will be over for at least a while.'

'Bombur had most of the preparations well in hand for the larger dinner. This smaller one will be no trouble. The Gathering Room can be decorated tonight after everyone has retired.' She paused and thought. 'Perhaps we should have some more elaborate decorations in there? Something to impress the guild masters? They like gold and such but the Room is rather plain at the moment.'

Elmyra said, 'I am going to the Treasury tomorrow. Perhaps I can find something sufficiently gaudy there or we can raid Thror's salon. There is certainly enough in that one room alone!'

'Ah, that's exactly what I want. Remember the epergne that sits on the table in the salon corner?' Meladil asked.

Elmyra shuddered. 'The one that is about four feet tall and covered in jewels; how can I forget? I am always tempted to throw a sheet over it.'

'Me too, but it is perfect for the guild masters. It can grace the table tomorrow and then you do not have to bring anything that large and heavy from the Treasury. Why are you going there?' Meladil had heard all about Elmyra's last journey there and back.

'I need an impressive necklace for the dinner. Thorin already gave me one, but I want to save that for the main event. Do you think I should have a tiara or something for my head?' This was all new territory for her.

'It might not be a bad idea. I would ask the King or Balin. They will know what is appropriate.'

They finalized the last few details and then Elmyra headed back to find Thorin once more.

The crowd in the Great Hall was as appreciative as before. More bows and smiles came her way and Bofur nodded at her from his newest audience. She entered Balin's lair once more. Thorin seemed much more relaxed. He was always happiest when plans were working as intended.

'Ah, Little Cat how is Meladil? Can she and Bombur meet our challenge?' Thorin rose and pulled her onto his lap.

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. 'No trouble. Bombur has plenty of food and Meladil and I came up with some decorating ideas that will make the masters salivate to support Erebor and its gold.'

Balin rolled his eyes at their behavior, but it made him smile to himself. He had never seen his friend so happy and content in his life.

Elmyra continued, 'I do have two questions. One, do your sister and Dwalin even know I have returned?'

Thorin realized with a shock that neither one did. 'I do not believe we ever mentioned in any of our messages have we, Balin? They are usually very short if they go by raven and the written ones are about business.'

'I never even thought to say anything,' Balin admitted. 'I will call the messenger and remedy that right now. Or do you want to surprise Dis with the news?'

Thorin laughed. 'No, she never likes surprises. Let her have a bit of time to get used to the idea.' He saw the look on Elmyra's face. 'Don't worry, Little Cat, she will love you as I do. What was your second question?'

Elmyra wondered if he was correct but let it go for now. 'I am going to the Treasury with Bofur and Nori tomorrow to find a necklace for the masters' dinner. Do you have any recommendations? Should I have a tiara or something?'

'You are going to the Treasury? Are you sure you are up for it?' Thorin remembered how she hated that hike.

'We are leaving early. I will take my time on the return trip. Down is no trouble,' she hoped.

Thorin thought for a moment. 'I am sure any necklace you choose will look good. As for a tiara? Balin, what do you think?'

'Hmm. She is not yet crowned, but she wears the Queen's Beads. I think something modest for the tiara, gaudy for the necklace. The masters will expect you to display your wealth and status. If you have any questions, Elmyra, bring several and I can look at them and help you decide,' Balin said.

'I'll do that. I don't want to make any mistakes! Do you think that after the dinner, the guild masters will be ready to commit?' She was tired of seeing Thorin so tense over the unresolved issues.

'That is what we are hoping. Even if one of them would decide, that will help push the others to agree. We will know soon either way. We will seat you with them. They have heard all that Balin and I have to say. Now it is up to you to impress them.' Thorin took her hands. 'Don't tire yourself too much, I want to show off my bright and shiny queen, not a worn out treasure seeker.'

Elmyra laughed. 'I will make Bofur carry me if I get too tired. All I have to do is call him Milk, and the guilt makes him grant any wish! However, I think I can manage if it is a reasonable pace.' She got off his lap, gave him one last deep kiss and said, 'I will see you later. I am off to see what trouble Owl got into today.'

…..

Owl had only shredded some paper and scratched a chair leg. He tumbled over to greet Elmyra, meowing hungrily. 'You are a greedy little beast,' she said scooping him up with one hand. She gave him the treats she had gotten from Balin's office. His kitten spent the day there and always had something to nibble on.

Elmyra went to her wardrobe and pulled out the green dress with the gold accents. She was saving the royal blue for the grand dinner. Laying the dress out on the bed, she thought that emeralds would work best. Something mounted in gold. She was looking forward to returning to the Treasury, hike or no. When she reclaimed the kitten statue from the old suite, she had remembered the other little animals in Dis's zoo. Perhaps Dis would like some for her rooms.

Meladil walked in. 'I see you are planning how to impress the masters.'

'This is so important, Mel, that I want to get it right. Have the seamstresses made progress on any of the other dresses?' Elmyra and Meladil had commissioned more clothing for the queen. With the social calendar starting to fill, Elmyra didn't want to wear the same thing too often. The dwarf ladies had already noticed the EverCleanClothesII appearing repeatedly!

'They should be ready in a week or so, but this will be fine. You are heading to the Treasury?' she asked.

'Tomorrow morning with Bofur and Nori. I think emeralds will make a nice statement.'

Meladil smiled. 'They will go quite nicely with the velvet. Make sure they are gaudy enough. The epergne has been moved and you should outshine it!' She smiled, knowing how much they both disliked the thing.

Elmyra gave a most unregal snort of disgust. 'If I can't look better than that, I will give up my beads!'

Now for a bit of shameless self-promotion. I also posted a new short story about Dis and Thorin called 'A Mother's Love'. Feel free to read and review.