Dís POV

The royal family walked in a hurried procession towards the gates. No sooner had my son suggested to lessen his royal rank, did Dwalin barge in to announce the expected arrival of new settlers from the Iron Hills. In order to be present upon the first traveler entering the gates, there was no time to discuss further. Balin and Dwalin escorted me in front, Fili and Kili flanked Tauriel in the center, and Bofur and Gorek followed in back. Dwalin, Bofur and Gorek were visibly equipped for war, looking every bit the formidable royal guards they should. The reality was, despite our normal appearances, every last one of us was armed to the teeth.

Before exiting the upper halls for royalty and dignitaries, Balin stopped at the end of the corridor, touching the wall in a calculated way. The solid ebony rock slid to the side revealing a hidden passageway, the group hurrying through it without a word. I had nearly forgotten about the viewing balcony over the gates. I had only been ten years old when the dragon defiled Erebor. I tried so hard to forget the horrible memories, that even the good had been hidden away in my mind. So much sorrow, so many losses.

The gas lamps threw light across every surface, making the path look like a swirling liquid. Each step forward like descending deeper into a shimmering green and black abyss. The gloomy effect was not lost on any of us, even Tauriel whispered something about being swallowed into the mountain. I let out a nervous laugh as I glanced back at my children. Both Fili and Kili edged closer to her in a chivalrous fashion. It mattered not if the elf's comment was dripping with sarcasm, their behavior left me proud.

Balin stopped suddenly, rubbing his chin in deep thought, "Is it this one or the next?" He eventually moved on further stopping some ways down. If he had not hinted of a doorway at this location, I would not have known there was one at all. The pathway had no marks, no edges, no signs, it was a veritable maze and without a guide you'd surely be lost forever. The High Chamberlain tapped the stone in a sequence and the wall fell away. The large balcony had a narrow stairway to welcome people of importance but it was in a brilliantly defensible position from the gate. Many of the settlers gathered down below, the excitement seemed to charge the air, my own nerves starting to stand on end.

Dwalin gave me a wink and found a place to stand watch in the center of the family. Kili ran the back of his fingers down Tauriel's cheek giving her beads a light tug at the end. She smiled taking his arm and moving to the edge of the railing. Fili found my side as we looked out onto the plain to see dwarves slowly making their way to the entrance. Now all we had to do was wait.

"We must be careful who we choose," Fili spoke without detail, knowing I would know what he meant.

I sighed deeply, not really liking the prospect but knowing it might be necessary, "I need to re-build a court of Dams at Erebor, I knew there was a vetting process to be done." I placed my hand on the railing directly over Fili's to draw his attention. "I think I should vet them for you... just in case..."

Fili acknowledged my words with a grimace and a subtle head nod, "I understand, that may be my fate."

The settlers started to filter into the interior ward of Erebor. Friends and family already starting to hug and welcome each other in the courtyard. Some walked through the gates with looks of awe and wonderment as many had only heard stories of the mountain and all of its beauty. Heavily laden ponies and carts began to filter in as some families of wealth and importance came through.

I personally was only looking for one particular arrival, the drawn out suspense of it starting to unravel my courage. I held my head high as some of the settlers looked up to the royal balcony, trying to point out the members they may know or had heard of. I smiled knowing they will talk of my sons as heroes who battled a dragon, who took back a part of dwarven history, who won back the birthright for their king.

Finally I saw him. Standing a full head taller than any other dwarf, leading a dun pony in by it's bridle. He looked almost exactly the same as last I saw him. "Darek" without any permission the name escaped my lips in a whisper. I wanted to throw out protocol, along with any good sense and just run down the stairwell to go to him. However I did see someone I could run to hug, and with a moment to grab up my skirts I flew down stairwell.

"Gavri!" I yelled out as my feet hit the last step into the courtyard. Darek's sister and my long time friend, lit up with joy as she welcomed me into a bear hug.

"Durin's beard, you haven't aged a day." Gavri held my face in her hands, her eyes a little wet from the emotion of the reception.

"Neither did you," I held her on to her wrists on my face and squeezed tight, "I'm so glad you're here."

"Aye," Gavri moved to the side urging two cloaked figures to move forward, "Princess Dís, these are my children. Givian my oldest and my baby Adion."

The youngest and taller of the two removed his hood first, a male dwarf much younger than my boys bowed low. The oldest's dainty hands came out from the heavy cloak, gently pushing the hood away from her face. A striking young woman with dark brown hair to match her brother's, soft blue eyes drawn down in nervousness as she curtsied low, "Your royal highness."

I nodded my head in approval, "Givian, you're as beautiful as your mother but the coloring is Algrin's for sure."

"May Mahal gather him in the halls," Gavri solemnly declared at the mention of her husband.

"I am sorry to hear of his passing. Please, you must come join me when you've had time to settle," I gave her one last embrace before turning to leave. I wanted to look at Darek, I could feel his eyes following me. But for all the desperation to see him, I had an equal amount of fear forcing me to retreat away. No amount of political training could prepare me for the situation I had to face. I certainly didn't feel ready for it. Therefore I did the only thing I could do gracefully. I put my head up high and walked the long way back to my rooms.