Before we begin - please let me APOLOGISE for it being so late!

Ok. You can read now.


None of the company slept well that night. Cautious, even though they had all been pardoned, they had dragged the beds from the three different rooms of their quarters into one. It was worse still when the softness of their mattresses refused to let them sleep.

Even the beds in Roskilde had been hard - a little straw on wooden planks, but the beds of Moria were like a cocoon. They were too soft. As such, all of the dwarves had slept on the floor that night, A single bed pushed up firmly against the door to ensure that no intruders could burst upon them in their sleep. Pallando was the only one who did not seem to mind that he was sleeping on a cloud, and was out cold as soon as his head hit the feather-filled pillow.

She had found it surprising that she was the first to awaken (Rorik normally held that honour). As she sat up and looked around at her companions, Rín realised they were still within the throes of sleep. Geir and Ivarr were snoring in the corner, Pallando was on his bed and Rorik and Thorin lay close by.

The mask of nonchalance Rorik kept up during the day all but disappeared by night. The corners of his mouth were turned downwards and his brow twisted as if in pain. Rín's heart went out to the blonde dwarf, for even though his personality was not her favourite, the loss of an umùrad could never be truly healed and he would forever bear the half-healed scar of his beloved's death. It was not a fate she wished on any.

Thorin's expression in sleep was the opposite. He was all calm serenity. Dark eyelashes occasionally fluttered against his cheeks in dreams, his breathing slow and heavy. Thick strands of black hair fell over part of his face, obscuring it from her view. Rín's hands itched to brush them aside but she held back, content to let him sleep.

Quietly as possible, she pulled herself to her feet and tiptoed to the door, stepping over blankets and discarded boots as she went. Silently, Rín had pushed back the door bolt and stepped out into the greater common room of their living quarters. Two more large rooms branched out either side of the seated area, now empty of beds. Suddenly, there was a loud creak as the entrance to their quarters opened and a Rín dropped into a defensive stance automatically, her heart drumming in her chest.

A dwarf serving woman, carrying a pitcher and cloth bustled into the room, took one look at Rín and shrieked, water flying everywhere, before running straight back out of the room. There was a thump, a crash and a series of yelps from the room behind her and Thorin came bursting out in his undershirt, his hair and eyes wild; a disgruntled Rorik close behind.

"What is it Hlífhrím? Are you alright?" The dark haired dwarf asked forcefully, striding towards her.

Rín smiled weakly, "I am fine. It's the server I'm worried about."

Rorik snorted, "What did you do?"

"Nothing! She just looked at me and ran out screaming!" Rín sighed, looking up at Thorin who had stopped in front of her.

Rorik burst out laughing at her response. "I can understand why." he snickered.

Both Thorin and Rín turned on him with a scowl at that and Rorik shut up quickly. He gave a sniff of disapproval as he turned on his heel and walked back into their sleeping room where Rín could hear the faint sounds of the others stirring.

Rín glanced over to where the pitcher lay in a puddle of water on the ground and her face reddened. Eyes lowering in shame as Rorik's words ticked over in her mind, she walked over and retrieved it, unable to look at Thorin as she walked back past him. "He's probably right you know," Rín said, "Rorik that is. I am probably nothing like those she serves every day. I must have scared her."

Thorin's hands came up to grasp her arms as she passed him, pulling her to a stop. "Rín, you must not worry." he said quietly, lifting her chin so that her eyes met his own. "you are different, I shall not deny it, but they will grow used to you in time." with a half-smile, he brushed her hair behind her ear, "Your heart is too good and kind for them not too. And if not, then we will leave this place as soon as we are able. We have our freedom now."

Rín took his hands, closing her eyes and leaning her cheek against his palm. "Can we go someplace where we will be able to watch the stars shine of a night?" she asked the tall dark haired dwarf quietly, her eyes flickering open once more to meet his.

Thorin's eyes crinkled a little at the corners as he looked down at her. "We can go anywhere you like."

Rín smiled.


The rain pelted down from the heavens onto the soldiers, tramping through the mud. Skoldjør looked upwards into the thunderous clouds, letting the water trickle down his face. He closed his eyes.

Sjöfn's face swam in front of his closed eyes, appearing from the darkness like a wraith. Her ghostly hand reached out and caressed his cheek. "Do not be sad my brother." she said gently, her voice soft, like the faintest brush of wind. "Our people need your strength not your sadness. Do not dwell on the past, look ahead. Look to the future."

Skoldjør's eyes snapped open, his breath steady puffs of steam condensing in the air. The thud of marching soldiers feet hitting mud shook the air and the rain fell ever harder. Skoldjør reached back and pulled his hood up and over his soaked hair, shadowing his face beneath the cowl until all that could be seen was the ice of his eyes.


It was sometime later that Rín, Thorin, Rorik and Geir found themselves walking through the many corridors of Moria, led by a guard sent to them by Durin himself. The serving woman had not come back and slowly they had dressed themselves in their dirt-ridden travel clothes once more, unable to wash as the pitcher had been left empty of water.

Ivarr, still a little woozy, had stayed behind with Pallando. Rín was quietly worried about the blue wizard, his face seemed to have grown even more ashen than it had been the night before. As soon as she saw the dwarven King, Rín would need to ask him of Moria's healers and whether they could do anything for him.

As they walked, twisting and turning down corridors, voices began to drift through the halls, and more and more people passed them, some one at a time and others in groups. Several were of the race of men, but many more were dwarves and the sounds of voices grew louder and louder, merging into the hundreds, until finally, the company and their guard entered a hall far greater than Rín had ever seen.

Crystals lined columns that held the ceiling in place, lighting the massive room and brightening the many colours within it. Rín felt her heart almost stop as she stared down in to the hustle and bustle of a market square. There were so many people. Dwarves and men alike talked, laughed, bartered and travelled merrily around the room. They all acted as though they had not a care in the world. Nannulf would have been so happy to see this, Rín couldn't help thinking, and the back of her eyes began to burn as she held back unwanted tears.

The guard led them through stalls and throngs of people, snaking through the crowds. As they passed, occasionally a dwarf or man would turn to look, Rín could feel her neck heating up under their intense scrutiny. She could hear their whispers.

"Look there!"

"They're so dirty!"

"Look at her face, 'tis as bare as a babe's bottom!"

"Who are they?"

Rín tentatively lifted her eyes from the ground and was met only by hostile stares and glaring.

"Dirty Ironfist!"

The call came from somewhere within the crowd and Rín felt Thorin stiffen beside her. Quickly, her face burning, she let her eyes slip back to the ground and sped up, walking on the heels of the guard that led them. Instead of stopping, the dark haired dwarf continued on beside her. Soon they were out of the bustling markets and Rín breathed a sigh of relief. The comments made by the dwellers of Moria had reopened an old ache deep inside her, but she firmly squashed it down.

Their guide approached a pair of guards standing in front of a large door, with a quick word, they stepped aside, allowing Rín and company to enter. Durin was seated at a stone desk in the corner of the room, quill scratching against parchment. He looked up at the sound of the door opening.

"Ah. Thank you for coming." Durin said, smiling and walking towards them. "I thought you might like to learn your way about the city, and who better than I to show you?"

"But you are a King are you not? Surely a King does not have time for matters of such triviality?" Thorin asked, a mocking edge to his voice. Rín scowled and nudged the tall dwarf imperceptibly.

"Even a King - a King in exile at that, must rest, Thorin." Durin smiled tersely and gestured to the door. "Walk with me."

Geir and Rorik followed the King of the Longbeard's out the door, and Thorin raised his brows at Rín at the command.

"Behave." she said sternly, trying to keep her face straight.

Thorin's brows somehow raised higher. "Whenever do I not?"

Rín's bark of laughter echoed around the room as they followed the others.


Durin showed the dwarves through most of the main passageways of Moria, along the housing, to the forges, and up, finally to one of the great balconies that overlooked the West of the mountain.

It was a view more beautiful than any of them could have imagined, as the sun slowly set on the horizen and when they turned to leave, Rorik and Geir opted to stay for a while longer. Rín thought that it was perhaps due to the fact that the balcony all but gave the purest taste of freedom she had ever had. She and Thorin followed Durin back down into the mountain nevertheless and a guard was left to guide the others back to their rooms when they wished it.

Soon they came to a crossroads and stopped. "This is the main thoroughfare, and where I must leave you. It will take you back to your rooms." Durin said, pointing straight ahead. "That is the way back to the markets on our right - the way you came to me this morning, and down there to the left is where clerics and sages make their home, the records hold is further down"

"The records hold?" Thorin interrupted sharply, his eyes suddenly dark, regardless of the crystals that lit their way.

Rín frowned as Durin replied, hesitant and confused. "Yes. The place where we keep the records of our forefathers."

"Do you keep those records of the happenings in the Third Age?" Thorin's voice had turned to a desperate edge and Rín placed a gentle hand on his arm.

Durin's eyes had narrowed as he spoke. "Most probably. But they would be deep down, one would have to search for them. Why do you wish to know?"

Thorin ignored his question. "I would see them if I could. There is something I must know. I am willing to search if I must."

Durin stared at him with an unfathomable expression on his face. "Very well, I will send a guide to you later. He will show you to the Records Keeper, and he should show you the general area your search will need to begin." Durin said finally, "But know this, Thorin, should you attempt to betray my good will, my revenge will be tenfold."

The corner of Thorin's mouth quirked upwards into a half-smirk as he inclined his head. Rín however gave the King of the Longbeard clan a tentative smile. "We have no reason to betray you, my Lord." she replied smoothly. "However, if I may change the topic, I remember from the years before Erebor's fall that the Mountain once housed several public bath-houses filled with hot water. Does Moria have such a place?"

Durin blinked at her sudden about face, his face flushing a little. "Uhhh public-no. No we do not." he replied with a cough. "But I will send up a servant with a uh- uh- tub and hot water if you do so wish."

"Perhaps this servant will not hightail and run at the sight us this time?" Rín beamed at him. "But yes, that would be lovely thank you."

The King nodded, his eyes flickering to Thorin's for half a second before giving the pair an awkward half-bow which they barely had time to return, before he practically fled down the market corridor.

"Oh dear. I think I must have scared him as well." Rín mused. "I am off to an excellent start I see."

"Well you and your desire to bathe are quite intimidating." Thorin replied, trying not to smirk.

Rín narrowed her eyes at him, "How can you think that? It is not like I sprout it every ten minutes to whomever would listen!"

Thorin's face was dead serious as he replied. "You talk in your sleep."

Rín's mouth dropped open and she stared at him in horror. There was a pause before, without warning, Thorin's face crumpled into deep laughter. Scowling, Rín crossed her arms over her chest. "Not funny."

Thorin ceased laughing and merely smiled at her, a smile full of true happiness. "Oh but it is." he said warmly, slipping an arm about her waist and pulling her closer. "Smile for me Rín?"

She kept her face in a scowl for as long as possible, but Thorin was so close that his beard tickled her cheek and the corners of her mouth lifted upwards. "You are incorrigible." Rín groused.

Thorin's smile grew more serious. "If only you knew."

Rín saw his change in demeanour and sighed, leaning her head against his chest. "You wish to enter the records and learn the fate of your kin don't you?"

The rise and fall of Thorin's chest against her cheek was heavy as he sucked in a deep breath. "I am lost. I do not know whether I wish to know, or if I should simply let it be."

Rín lifted her head to look up at him, her eyes dark and sorrowful. "Learn their fate Thorin, it is always better to know."

The dark haired dwarf nodded and pressed his forehead against hers. "I will go there now then."

Rín leaned forward and pressed the softest of kisses to his lips. "And I will come with you."


A/N:

Translation

Umúrad - Soul (or for the purposes of this fic, life partner, bonded, soul geddit?)

I'm aliiiiivvveeeeee!

So I have no excuses. This chapter was simply hard to write. I re-wrote parts up to three times before I was even fairly happy with it. I gave up writing completely at one point, but I could not leave you all here, so close to the end. So I have persevered and cracked that writers block just enough to let this chapter slip through. I hope you enjoyed it.

Also, I'm aware that I may not have responded to quite a few of you regarding follows and favourites. My inbox is overflowing and I don't quite have the momentum yet to go through everything - if I have not responded, please be aware, you have my thanks :)

Thank you also to those who have previously followed/favourited and my reviewers: LadyDunla, CupcakesAndAlice, Counting Sinful Stars, REDRydingHood, Queen of Erebor, C.M. Gate, Luinwen-2013, biddle29, L. C. D. , UK Reader, Elise, Kcaelle, Pearl Primrose, The EarthSong, Ben and Jerry's Icecream Cone, CeliaSingsSongs, and finally, insanity and co.

If you're still with me. My gratitude knows no bounds.

X

(In other news I just started a tumblr account because apparently I'm super delayed it's hip and cool and a useful writer-reader tool aaaaaanddd...I have no idea what I'm doing. If anyone does by chance know what they are doing, knows how to make pages for an example...shoot me a PM. Help me out? PLEASE. Oh yeah and the account name is CeffylGwyn - same is here. So when I work out what I'm doing I will be doing a catalogue of writing updates there too - so that might get my butt in gear haha. But seriously. Help.)