The caravan had spent days crossing the hard ridge that marked the end of the Blue Mountains and the beginning of the flatland that expanded to Mirkwood. The soldiers, who were used to pushing through the tough terrain in a few hours had to slow their pace to help the wagons over the rocks that broke up the path. Thorin spent most of his time leading the group forward before doubling back to make sure each dwarf made it across a particularly difficult spot in the path. He would sit on his pony to the side watching as each dwarf crossed in front of him, or directing his men to help ones who couldn't make it.
Now, he sat to the side of the path watching the group cross, when Kaleria came into his line of vision. Thorin had not spoken to her since his outburst near the stream. Their paths had not crossed during any of the journey, or the stops. He assumed she was avoiding him.
Kaleria met his gaze and gave him a small smile as she rode past him. She steered her pony to follow those in front of her and conversed easily with those beside her. Though Thorin saw her smile, he knew he needed to apologize.
Thorin kicked his pony to catch up with hers, slowing to match her speed once he was beside her.
"Hello, my king." She greeted with a nod of her head.
"Lady Kaleria," he bowed his head in return, "may I have a word?"
"Of course," she replied.
Thorin moved his pony away from the group and she followed. They rode just beyond the edge of the crowd, far enough away to have a private conversation. He didn't know how to start, but luckily he didn't have to.
"Are you alright, Thorin?" Kaleria asked, turning her head to look at him.
He wasn't sure why, but he liked that she used his name instead of his title.
"I owe you an apology." Thorin met her eyes. "The other night by the stream I was...I...was not myself. I snapped at you for no reason, and I apologize for my behavior." He watched her as she listened. Her face gave away nothing, and he worried she was more angry than he had anticipated.
"I appreciate your apology, but I was not offended by your outburst." Kaleria's face softened into a kind smile. "I assumed, like the rest of us, you were worn out, and I happened to find you at a bad time."
"So you haven't been avoiding me these past few days?" He questioned.
Kaleria laughed and looked away from his gaze. "Perhaps the first day I avoided you, but the rest was poor timing on both our parts. I never seemed to run into you, and you never seemed to run into me."
Although he didn't deserve it, Thorin appreciated her honesty. Many dwarves would have told him what they thought he wanted to hear, but, refreshingly, Kaleria didn't pretend to preserve his feelings.
"I would like to amend for my poor timing. May I ride with you for a portion of our journey today?" Thorin gave her the option to deny him, fully expecting her to tell him no.
Kaleria thought over his proposition. "As long as you can keep up."
Before Thorin could question her meaning, Kaleria kicked her pony into a trot and then a gallop as she raced toward the front of the caravan. Thorin wasted no time bringing his pony up to speed, and chasing after her across the plain.
That night the fires were burning brighter, and the food smelled better, and the caravan celebrated the small victory of making it to the flat lands between the Blue Mountains and Erebor. The main fire reached the height of a tree, the flames stretching toward the sky as if trying to set the stars on fire. Many gathered around the main fire to enjoy their dinner, acting more like the community they were used to being. Kaleria sat with a couple she knew well from the Blue Mountains.
Valdrus and his wife Hedina were friends of Kaleria's, and a happily married couple for almost fifteen years. Though Kaleria was a few years older than Hedina, they became fast friends, and Kaleria became the older sister Hedina never had. Hedina was shorter than Kaleria and had bright blonde hair that almost looked white in the midday sun. When Kaleria told Hedina she would be moving to Erebor, Hedina couldn't hide her excitement at having her friend move with her.
They sat around their own fire enjoying the music coming from the main group and eating the soup Hedina had made for their small gathering. Kaleria sat across from Hedina and Valdrus, who shared a bench Valdrus had carved for their wedding feast. Like they had at their wedding, Hedina and Valdrus sat close together, an example of how in love they were after nearly two decades together.
"Do you think the journey will be easier now that we are out of the mountains?" Hedina asked, looking from Kaleria to her husband.
"Ha! It is bound to be easier. We shall be in Erebor by the end of next week." Valdrus exclaimed. He was a large dwarf with thick arms and legs to match his barrel sized torso. His dark brown beard flowed down to his belly button, and his equally long hair was tied back from his face in braided pieces gathered into a bun the size of a bowl at the base of his neck.
Kaleria didn't consider him very handsome, but he made up for it with his over the top personality. Valdrus could make anyone laugh, and his stories grew better the more ale he had consumed.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Valdrus, but I don't think our journey will be that quick. From what I understand, we are less than halfway to Erebor." Kaleria informed him, watching his smile collapse into a frown.
"Not halfway? How long is this journey?" He complained.
"The company of Thorin Oakenshield took almost six months to reach the mountain, although they had a few delays in their travels. I imagine we have at least three more months of traveling." Kaleria revealed.
Valdrus began to reply, but Hedina interrupted him. "I'm sure our journey will go more smoothly. King Thorin seems like a capable dwarf." Hedina eyed Kaleria.
Kaleria stared at her friend. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Well, you did host the king during his stay. You probably got to know him very well." Hedina smiled, suggestively.
Kaleria rolled her eyes. "I know him well enough to say he is very capable of leading our caravan to Erebor."
"That's it? That's all you're going to say?"
"What would you like me to say, Hedina?"
Hedina looked toward the main fire where the majority of the people had gathered, and Kaleria followed her gaze. Thorin stood off to one side with some of his men, watching the children dance.
"For starters you could say how handsome he is," replied Hedina.
Valdrus snapped his attention to his wife. "Who's handsome?"
Hedina patted his arm. "No one is more handsome than you, my dear. I was merely observing how good Kaleria would look with King Thorin."
"Oh," Valdrus looked at the king, "that I can agree with."
Kaleria shook her head. "Thank you, Valdrus, but I am not interested in the king."
"Why not?" Hedina asked, sounding disappointed.
"Because I am not interested in finding a husband. I need to focus on how I plan to support myself in Erebor." Stirring her spoon in her soup, Kaleria realized she didn't have a plan once she arrived in Erebor. Though her father had made Thorin promise to help her, Kaleria didn't want to be indebted to the king for the rest of her life.
Hedina began to press her friend further, when Valdrus elbowed her in the arm, bringing her attention to the person who had walked up to their fire.
"Good evening," said Thorin, standing at the edge of their circle. "I wanted to check on you and see how you're faring at this point in our journey."
Kaleria sat up quickly, almost tossing her bowl to the ground in the process.
Thorin noticed her reaction. "I did not mean to startle you."
"No, no. I was lost in thought, and I didn't hear you walk up," said Kaleria.
"I will try to announce myself more clearly in the future." To others, Thorin's expression remained straight, but Kaleria noticed the slight upturn of his lips after spending so many weeks together.
They stared at each other for a long moment, before Hedina intervened.
"King Thorin, it is a pleasure to have you at our fire. Won't you sit down?" She pointed to another stool like the one Kaleria was sitting on.
Thorin looked away from Kaleria to address Hedina. "No, thank you. I have other families to check on before the night grows too old. Do you need any help, or more supplies?"
"No, sir. I believe we have all that we need." Hedina answered.
"I am glad to hear it, my lady." Thorin nodded.
"I am Hedina," she supplied. "And this is my husband, Valdrus."
"A pleasure to meet you both. Let me know if you need anything."
Valdrus cleared his throat, hinting at his need to speak with Thorin. "I have a question, sir. I thought we were at the halfway point in our journey, but how far are we exactly?"
"We are not quite halfway. We are making better time than I did the first time I traveled to Erebor, but we won't reach halfway for another two, or so weeks." Thorin said, looking at Valdrus, who glanced at Kaleria to see her smirking.
"Thank you for clarifying, sir. Kaleria told me we were not halfway, but I didn't believe her. My mistake." Valdrus grumbled.
Thorin looked at Kaleria. "Maybe you should be leading the group, since you know the map better than I do."
Kaleria smiled. "I am sure your people would much rather have you at the lead."
Thorin scratched the toe of his boot in the dirt. "I am not sure about that."
"I am," said Hedina. "You are very thoughtful to check on all of us. Some kings wouldn't do that, especially on a long journey."
"Thank you. If you need anything, let me or one of my advisors know, and it will be taken care of."
"Thank you, sir," said Hedina.
"Good night, Valdrus. Hedina." Thorin bowed his head to both of them before turning to Kaleria. "Good night, Lady Kaleria."
He bowed to her, then his blue eyes caught her brown ones and they both froze. Thorin stared at her a long time before he forced himself to turn away, and move on to the next family.
Kaleria watched him leave, her eyes stuck on his disappearing form. When she faced her friends once more, Hedina smiled at her. Kaleria knew what Hedina was thinking, but Kaleria had no intention of chasing after the king. Being unmarried at her age was unusual for her people, but Kaleria didn't mind. In the Blue Mountains, she had spent most of her time caring for her father. She was not interested in the men from home, and she expected the men from Erebor were not much different.
