A Song of Stone and Fire

by DaughterofDuck

Twenty years before the dwarrow leave Ered Luin to quest to Erebor Gandalf encounters a portal and helps the beings who come through. Tiefling slaves from Thay used ancient magic to escape captivity, now they travel across half of Arda to found a new homeland and create an alliance with the Dwarrow. The two races come together, learn about each other and defeat a dragon. Hopefully.

3. Chapter 2: An Unexpected Opportunity

Chapter Two, An Unexpected Opportunity.

Nori

Nori had been wary when the wizard began leading them off the road and into the Old Forest. He'd heard tales about the forest, none of them particularly good. He didn't know how much truth there was to trees that could walk about but he'd always kept clear and stuck to the roads. They were safe enough in these parts.

Then the wizard had led them to what was basically an underground village full of beings he had never heard of, let alone seen before. He had no knowledge to fall back on. Something that didn't happen to Nori very often, if at all. He made it his business to stay informed on pretty much everything that went on in Ered Luin and it's surroundings.

Tieflings.

That was what they called themselves. Mostly they were of a similar height to men and elves but he noticed that any with ram-like horns tended to be taller than their other kin by a head at least. As the red ones who looked like their leader were broader and the dark blue ones with the six small horns were generally of a leaner build. Nori was pretty sure there was at least six or seven, if not more, different sub-races here. The differences between them were too different yet consistent.

Children with tiny horns ran in and out of the room, some pausing to stare at the dwarrow before letting out tinkling giggles and running away again. Some of the older ones, who looked to be in that awkward stage where they were neither a child nor truly an adult, jogged after clusters of the young ones while others stopped to listen or talk with members of the Company in voices slightly less accented than their adult kin. Probably a result of the occasional woman of Man that seemed to live among them, all of them looking to be in their early twenties and dressed similarly to the Tiefling if a bit more conservatively.

He hadn't talked to anyone yet, but he had been listening to the many conversations that were happening around him. Their own language was thrown around but rarely, as it seemed they were all making an effort to be understood by their guests. A diplomatic decision.

While Ori and Dori had been led off somewhere and Bombur had been shown to the kitchens, the rest were still in the main room or just outside the open doors, mingling with their hosts. Hosts who had quite skilfully inserted themselves between the dwarrow, manipulating them into smaller groups, something he was sure had also been done on purpose. He wasn't getting any malicious vibes, a few wary ones but Nori thought that only sensible, so he let it happen, noting that Balin and Dwalin didn't leave the King's side and that the Princes were sticking close too, fore all that they were having a very intense conversation with two Tiefling boys who looked identical to each other. They were both red in colouring, maybe a few shades darker than Xoros, who was clearly a relation of some sort, possibly their father or an uncle, and processing the same black hair and dark horns.

It was too far to hear what they were telling the Princes but from the body language, Nori had no doubt it was mischief of some sort. What he could hear was Bofur entertaining a threesome of Tiefling women, one pink-skinned with raven black hair and a very visible baby bump, one with skin a dusky coal black, hair the purest white, eyes like the brightest rubies and an even larger baby bump and the last was a deep purple with black hair and a clear interest in what Bofur was saying that looked to be more than just friendly. Good luck to him, Nori supposed.

The King, his Advisor and his Guard were sitting beside the Wizard with Xoros, the woman who had offered them wine when they arrived and Valron. Valron, who definitely didn't want them here but had clearly been overruled, probably by the female who seemed to have convinced the others to her way of thinking. It was a bit surprising to see a woman holding a high position in her community. It was something he had found only accepted within Dwarven communities. It was all in the way she stood, confident, and when she spoke it was as if she didn't doubt that others would listen. And listen they did, taking her as seriously as they did their menfolk.

The three of them, as well as a few of the others that he pegged as the oldest among them, didn't seem inclined to smile or frown or show much facial expression at all. A trait that the youngest adults didn't share as they tended to visibly emote almost as frequently as Men. But something they all did was make lots of hand gestures as they spoke, often enough that he wondered if the gestures were a part of their language. A palm held up, facing away from the body seemed to translate to a shake of the head. A brushing aside motion was used every time something was denied as important, a clear dismissive action. None of the Tieflings simply shrugged, their hands came up, shifting outwards with the shifting of their shoulders. Fingers and wrists flicked around to emphasise individual words or phrases. It was interesting to watch and he paid special attention, trying to decide how some of the smaller motions fit in.

Then two Tieflings appeared in his peripherals and sidled up on either side of him in unison. He was as unnerved as he was impressed by the manoeuvre since he hadn't seen them coming and his exits had been rapidly minimised.

"I always think things go smoother when they bring their own, don't you agree Ei'erit?" The male on his left said to the female on his right.

"It's no guarantee Ei'erit, no guarantee." She hummed back, peering at Nori.

The hair on the back of his neck was standing on end. While most of the Tieflings around him moved like warriors or at least those trained in arms, these two...These two were more like him, sly, information hunters and hoarders.

Knowing that sometimes it was better to say nothing, he held his tongue and waited as the Tiefling assessed him, watching as he did the same back. The Male had reddish-brown skin and lean, muscled arms crossed loosely over his chest. He stood at a middling height for a Man. His shoulder-length, dark brown hair hung straight and thick around his face, partially concealing his high cheekbone, his wide, flat nose and the strange shape of his eyes. Because while they were lacking in pupil or iris, something Nori had noticed was a common trait among the Tiefling, his seemed to be set slightly deeper in his face, his eyelids seemed thicker, shorter and the edges pulled up making him seem slightly squinty. His horns were a similar shade to his skin and twisted around his ears like that of a ram before curving outwards into sharp points on either side of his head. His teeth and finger nails were black, something that drew his eye for it's strangeness.

His clothes were a pale sky blue contrasting with his darker skin tones. The sleeveless shirt buttoning up the centre with a high stiff collar ending halfway up his neck and the breeches falling straight legged as opposed to the loose, puffy ones the women wore under their short dresses. Both were made with a high amount of skill, the material thinner than a Dwarf would have chosen but well-made none the less. On his belt were two nasty-looking knives. The blades were both maybe six inches long, perfect for stabbing and slashing, with an unfamiliar rune etched just above the hilt. Hilts with impressive points that were sure to rip at the flesh should the knife sink deep enough. They were knives designed to kill and kill bloodily.

The female was almost a whole head shorter than her companion and not really too much taller than Nori, with skin the colour of purple amethyst and pupils of bright emerald green that stood out shockingly. Her hair was pitch black and had a curl to it that seemed rare among her kin, falling only as far as her sharp chin. Her horns were as black as her hair and curled over the top of her head, twisting this way and that. She was also one of the few to have metal jewellery, a thin gold chain hooking around her right horn and coming down to attach to the bar that was pierced through the top of her pointed ear. She wore a dark purple dress with lighter violet embroidery decorating the hem, cuffs and neckline, over the top of a white underdress and purple breeches that puffed out at mid-shin and tucked into her high top boots. Nori couldn't pick out any obvious weapons but there was a momentary glint that he thought might have been a knife sheathed at her back, hidden in the seemingly decorative folds of her dress.

He noted that neither of them had the facial tattoos the others of (what he thought to be) a similar age possessed, their skin completely unblemished apart from a few knife scars and nicks he also shared on their hands and arms. Both were obviously skilled with their blades.

"Is he going to speak at all, do you think?" The male asked, still peering at Nori but the edge had faded somewhat.

"Maybe he waits for introductions to be made?" The female answered, a slight husky edge entering her melodic tones and Nori concentrated on not rolling his eyes at their flirting.

"Well, leave that to me, Ei'erit." He straightened, running a hand down his front that while removing any imagined creases in his strange shirt, also accentuating his muscular arms and torso, something Nori knew was purposeful. "I am Tomek, Hôhet and this is Nesta, Hôkhener."

He finished with a dramatic flourish of the hand, tipping his head in a parody of a bow. Nori knew immediately that the foreign words were titles, like Xoros, the 'Undefeated', and had been purposefully said in a way he wouldn't understand. He might take it personally, if he didn't see the amusement behind Tomek's thin amber eyes.

These people were spies and thought him Thorin's personal spy, which he might as well be on this suicide quest, no one else seemed to have a lick of sense or much in the way of observational skills. They were also having a bit of a joke at his expense, probably just to poke him and watch his reactions. Something Nesta was doing quite intently.

"Nori," He nodded before switching to Khuzdul. "Master Thief."

Tomek laughed, a low sound made in the back of his throat. It was the laugh of a man who had had to stay quiet and unassuming most of his life. Nori laughed like that, if he laughed aloud at all. Nesta made a sharp snort sound that might have been humour or possibly mild exasperation. Dori sometimes made that kind of noise, usually aimed at him but more recently the two Princes.

"Now we are introduced, we can move on to business." Tomek announced, his eyes now moving to scan the room, his stance relatively casual as he leant on the wall behind them.

Nori kept himself loose limbed as well. He was in a battle of wits and subtle cues. His heart had already kicked up a notch from the thrill of it, but no sign of it showed outwardly. He almost reached for a knife to flick and fiddle with, as he usually did in such situations, but it was a subtly aggressive move and not just intimidating as drawing attention to one's strength was.

"Business?" He asked, drawing the world out slightly, feigning only the barest of curiosity.

"Whispers of Thorin Oakenshield, Exile King, has reached our ears." Nesta spoke in a low voice, forcing him to lean towards her to catch her every word through her heavy and unfamiliar accent. "Whispers of a price on his head."

He forced himself not to tense or react in anyway. From his position he could still see Thorin, Dwalin and Balin on either side of him. The King was safe. As safe as he could be out of the mountain and dinning in foreign halls.

"Maybe you could enlighten us as to why some folk are so desperate to end his life?" Tomek finished, his voice casual but his eyes were intense.

It seemed they were looking for a character assessment. Did people want Thorin dead because he was a tyrant or a madman or worse? They didn't expect him to be completely honest, of course, but he knew everything he said would be turned over and turned again, looking for deeper meaning. And of course, what he didn't say would be just as important as the what he did.

Observing how close the quarters within the community were, how most, if not all, of them were armed, he assumed that they had pretty strict laws or code of morals to keep everyone in line. They'd be at each others throats otherwise, something they couldn't afford, being so few in number to begin with.

"Certain people..." He began measuring each word before speaking it. "would surely profit from his demise. He is a King, after all; they all have political opponents."

Quite a few people thought now would be a good time to get rid of the line of Durin, people who had been allies and supporters only a hundred or so years ago. Before Thror had gone mad and Thain had wandered off. Before rumours of Mahal withdrawing his favour of Durin's folk. Before Smaug and years of wandering as their numbers dwindled.

"Then there's the Orcs, of course." He added watching their faces. "They're the ones who put the price out on him in the first place."

Both wrinkle their noses in disgust and Tomek looked like he was resisting spitting on the floor at the mere mention, resisting only because they were inside.

"Orcs is always trouble." Nesta commented, her tone making Nori think it was a common saying among the Tiefling, while Tomek was nodding.

"I find m'self agreeing." Because, really, who wouldn't?

Whether they took his word for it or whether they already knew it was the Orcs who had taken out the contract and were merely testing him to see what he would say, it seemed that conversation was over.

"So," Nesta started, leading the conversation this time. "why does the Aasimon bring you to us?"

He obviously didn't recognize the word but knew it had to refer to the Wizard. And really it was a fair question. As far as Nori could tell, Tharkûn had actually only sent them a message saying he was going to turn up and was bringing guests without explanation. Tharkûn, who was the only person (apart from the few women of Men who seemed to live here) to know these people even existed. What would they have done if they turned up and no one was here? Nori supposed Wizards didn't have to worry about the manners and minor worries of mortal beings like them.

Still, he didn't think it was really his place to talk about why they were all here.

"Shouldn't that be left to our leaders?" He asked with the barest nod to where Xoros, Thorin, Balin and Tharkûn were talking.

They both make a chuff sound and their hands flick out almost in unison to 'sweep away' what he said.

"It was decided a full Council will be held to hear all you say, but we would... appreciate the bare bones, at the very least." Tomek said with a tilt of his head. "Maybe we can tell you how willing our people may be to going along with whatever the Aasimon has planned."

Nori noted the word 'council' as something Thorin and Balin would like to know. And it seems like a fair trade. A suicide Quest to steal from a dragon was a hard sell to anyone but even an idea how it might be received would give Balin a good idea on what to actually say. Because it probably would be Balin leading any negotiations between their peoples.

He gave a slow nod after thinking about it.

"Either of you heard of Erebor?" He asked.

Tomek, interestingly, looked to Nesta for an answer. From all their previous interaction, Nori would have said that they considered each other equals, but that look had something almost expectant and... Like that of a subordinate, maybe, or at least someone who defers to those who know better. Like Nesta was the one with expertise in 'knowing' things. Which beggared the question what was Tomek if not an information gatherer as previously assumed?

"The mountain East of here currently inhabited by a dragon?" She inquired even as her tone said she knew the answer without him saying anything.

"Draa-gon?" Tomek repeated.

"Apophis." She answered and he was visibly taken back.

"The dragon, Smaug, knows the smell of dwarf. That's why we've come. We need a burglar to sneak into the mountain and steal the King's Jewel. With it, Thorin can call on all the Dwarven Kingdoms and summon an army to kill Smaug and reclaim our homelands." That was the plan anyway, but it wouldn't do to voice his own doubts about their quest; he was trying to sell here.

The female Tiefling let out an almost silent sigh after a brief pause as they let it sink in but it was Tomek who spoke.

"Well, Valron will speak out against it." He told them jovially with a quirk of his lip.

"Valron speaks against everything." Was Nesta's response.

Nori didn't need to try hard to imagine that. The Tiefling who had been the one to meet them in the forest had seemed like the sort. The gave off a battle hardened, slightly paranoid guard-type vibe not so dissimilar to Dwalin. He obviously didn't want them here and had spent the whole time standing within arms reach of Xoros, still armed and armoured, scowling at pretty much everyone who got too close, his own kin included. Again, not too dissimilar to Dwalin.

"Some of our younger ones might want to venture with you, to prove themselves if nothing else. Many of our kind are naturally skilled in stealth." Tomek said, focusing once more on Nori. "Including our own children."

"Tisane and Nephis' children are too young, they would not leave them." Nesta cut in, a harshness to her voice, obviously not wanting her own children to go on such a dangerous quest. "And Lenka will have her babe any day now. Thuruk would not abandon her either."

"But Thornak has no young of his own." He answered her in a gentle, placating tone that made Nori feel as though he was intruding, stuck between the two of them as he was. "He often speaks of adventure."

"He is too young!" She gasped.

"He is of age, with a mind of his own. We can not speak against him, if it is his wish." He looked as if he wanted to reach out and touch her but resisted, possibly knowing he wouldn't be welcome just then, or more probably because Nori was in his way.

Nesta let out a hiss, short but with a somewhat vicious edge, before she visibly straightened, clearing her face of all emotion.

"What would you be willing to trade us for our...help in this matter?" She asked, her emerald eyes boring in to his own.

"A fourteenth share of the treasure in the mountain." He answered without hesitation. It was the only upside Nori could see in this Mahal-forsaken quest, if they even made it that far; he had Ori and Dori to worry about.

"A treasure consisting of what?" She questioned rapidly.

"Gold, silver, precious stones, gems..." He shrugged, but watched as the hidden interest that sprang across their faces when he mentioned the stones.

She brought her arms across her chest, her fists thumping audibly, in the same gesture they had been greeted with when they reached the settlement. She nodded her head sharply at him.

"Alavairthae." She grunted before turning and leaving.

He blinked at her rapid departure and almost flinched when Tomek laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Do not mind her." He breathed into Nori's ear, so low he barely heard it himself. A precaution that caught his attention, their race definitely had sharp hearing. "It is the way of females, I think, to want to keep their young close. Would you like to know anything else?"

There was plenty he wanted to know, about the Tiefling, their community and about everything else but he focused on what he actually needed to know. It wasn't the time for idle curiosity.

"The council will decide if anyone is allowed to come with us?" He inquired.

But Tomek held up his hand. "If one will go with you, no one will speak against their decision to do so. The council will negotiate costs, travelling needs and the like."

It sounded like Tomek thought someone among his kin was definitely going to join them and Nori supposed there were quite a few of them. While they had been talking, plenty of strong looking lads had passed through. Lasses too. They were equally as armed, equally as sure in their step and stance.

"...Danira." He spoke again, drawing Nori away from his thoughts. "She will bring up talk of alliance, I am sure."

That made Nori's elaborately braided eyebrows noticeably rise. People didn't want to ally themselves with dwarrow nowadays. They were seen as too greedy, greed that had made them delve too deep in Khazad-dûm and drew the attention of Smaug down on them in Erebor. Greedy and dirty and deceptive.

He couldn't help being suspicious.

"Why us? Why not the Elves or one of the Cities of Men? The Halflings even?" He demanded.

Tomek gave him a long look and Nori waited, knowing he was being prodded to find out how receptive his people were likely to be.

"Maybe ten years after we come here, one of the Hin comes into the forest and sees one of us. He runs, screaming 'he has seen a Monster'. 'A Beast.'" He finally answered, his words slow, as if he picked each one carefully. "That is how it often is, for our kind. But you, your kin, none have flinched from us, none have judged us or named us evil for our appearance."

Nori hadn't seen monsters when he first laid eyes on a Tiefling. Sure, they were like nothing he had ever seen before, coming in all colours, with horns and tails and otherworldly eyes. But he thought them... Exotic. With a sort of beauty to them that was similar but different to the elves. More attainable some how. When people told you elves were immortal and then you saw them, you thought 'yeah, okay, of course they are'. Tiefling weren't like that though. They were... Something. Even if they were beardless, Xoros' impressive long sideburns being the closest any of them had, they were attractive.

Tomek crossed his arms in the familiar gesture, giving him a nod and Nori wondered if he should copy the gesture so as not to be rude. He didn't care so much but Thorin might and Dori definitely would.

"Alavairthae." He said as he nodded. "It is a common farewell from our world. It loosely means 'May your skill prevail'. I truly hope it will."

"And yours." Nori watched as Tomek turned and went the way his wife had.

Giving the room another look over, he saw his brothers had yet to return and that the Princes had moved into the courtyard just outside, with Gloin, Oin and the two youngsters they were talking to before, to spar. Neither of them were quite up to par with the Fili and Kili but the young dwarrow seemed to be giving the Tiefling boys tips. A Tiefling that looked so much like Xoros, Nori did a double take, was shouting suggestions at the boys. It was only that he could see Xoros hadn't moved from his chair and the single gold band the other wore as an earing, unlike the seven or so that Xoros wore in his hair, that he could differentiate to two at a distance.

Both wore black fitted shirts as well, with high, stiff collars like Tomek had worn but theirs had sleeves that ended just above the elbow. The embroidery was similar as well, white thread, stitched into swords and spears, lining the placket and helm, circling the buttons that seemed to be made of knotted cord. A design that, once he was close enough to see after weaving in and out of groups of Tiefling and dwarrow, matched the tattoos lining Xoros' arms.

Sidling up between Balin and Thorin, Nori kept his voice low even as he switched to Khuzdul.

"Looks like we'll find what we came here for." He assured them first of all; Thorin was beginning to look impatient for all that he knew they probably wouldn't be leaving until the morning at the least. "Sounded like they've got dragons where they come from too, so they know what they're up against."

"Well that's something, at least." Balin sighed. "How sure are you that there is a burglar among them?"

"The one I talked to said many of his people are naturally stealthy. And I've got to agree, particularly light on their feet this lot. I watched one of the little ones make off with one of Bifur's carvings without anyone being any the wiser. Except me, of course." Nori side eyed Tharkûn who had politely turned his back to them slightly and was telling Xoros some story. "The one I talked to said some kind of council would be held to listen to us and deal with any negotiations but it'll be up to the individual to decide to join us. Also, most of them probably won't have even heard of Erebor so we're going to have to explain it all."

"Did you mention the treasure?" Thorin grumbled.

Nori gave a shallow nod. "They seemed more interested by the precious stones than the gold. Not that they couldn't use the gold." He added giving the large room they were in a once over.

He could tell these people were at the threshold between poor and starving. The clothes they wore were nice and most weren't worn at all, but he could also tell that they all mostly wearing their best. Valron's simpler clothes were slightly worn around the edges and he was one of the few who had anything close to a full set of armour. The rest had greaves or vambraces or chainmail of man-make, but that was about it.

They lived mostly underground to save on space, so they could grow food on the surface. He'd bet it wasn't their natural environ. He'd bet they built the building they were in first, then later, when they needed more space, they'd been forced to go down, dig tunnels and learn how to shore them up, maybe sneaking over to look at the Hobbit holes.

These people could definitely use the gold as much as the Dwarrow could.

He was about to bring up the tentative mention of forming an alliance when the sound of a bell rang though the room from somewhere below them. The Tieflings around them all reacted to the sound, some grabbing the empty plates from the table and chairs to return to the kitchens, others herding the children out of the room and while more that had not hung around the main room began streaming in from all three doors and standing around the table in obviously set places.

Tharkûn turned back to them then, gesturing for them to move around the table. They weren't the only ones, as all of the Company and Tharkûn ended up standing together along one of the long sides of the table with the doors behind them. Nori let a little bit of tension he had been carrying leave when he saw his brothers escorted back up the stairs by the short, blue, antlered Tiefling woman they had left with and another taller, red-skinned female, similar in look to Xoros.

Xoros stayed in his place at the head of the table, separate from all the others, who stood in six distinct groups across from the Company. One of each group stood closer to the table, clear leaders. These were the Clans he had heard mention of.

On the far left, closest to Xoros, was the Tiefling who had been watching the Princes and the twins sparring. Closer as he was now, he could see that Xoros was the older of the two and if they were Men he would have guessed by about four or five years apart in age. The younger also had a nick in his right horn, one that looked to have come from stopping a sword from striking off his head. Behind him was the Tiefling woman who had given them the bread during the 'Guest right' and, now that he looked, had a small baby bump that was partially obscured by the folds of her dress. Next to her was another female, who looked like a younger version of her, only missing the facial tattoos. She had the same black hair, same white horns, same pastel pink skin, same pitch black eyes with golden pupils. On her other side, was a much younger version of Xoros, maybe in his early twenties, stood with an arm around a mannish woman with auburn hair and blue dress that went all the way to the floor in the mannish style.

The next clan was only two strong, it's leader included. Both were women, with light grey skin and shockingly purple eyes, giving the illusion that something had sucked the colour from their very person and used it to make their eyes all the more vibrant. The elder had grey hair only a few shades darker than her skin, while the younger's hair fell in ash blonde curls around her short black horns that stood out on either side of her head. They both wore dresses in pale purple and the elder had fine silver chains woven through her hair forming a sort of flexible tiara with an unfamiliar symbol at it's centre surrounded by a silver moon, resting on her forehead.

The women who had offered them the sweet wine stood as leader of the next, the one he suspected to be Danira and was in charge of what was clearly the largest Clan. Eleven other adults stood behind her, most of them looking to be no more than eighteen. Mostly, they had pastel coloured skin in shades of pink, purple and blues, with antler-like horns but the rest looked to be from other sub-races. One woman had skin, hair and horns like Valron but her actual face held no similarities, indicating that she was probably not his blood kin. Another, the taller of the two women who had returned with Ori, was clearly related to Xoros and his clan. One stood out for the long sky blue robe with stars stitched all over in white thread she wore, more so than her lack of antlers.

The youngest of the leaders stood to Danira's left, with only three behind her, all of them women. She looked to Danira from the corner of her eye, mimicking her in her stance perfectly, showing great practise. She couldn't have been more than a few years older than the ones she lead, all of them looking to be in their early to mid twenties. The given the slight rounding of her stomach, he would guess her to be maybe half way through her pregnancy. He spotted the purple skinned, black haired one that had been flirting with Bofur earlier was among that group. She was, in fact, smiling all shy but coy at the aforementioned Dwarf over the table.

Then there was Nesta standing as leader of her own Clan; Tomek with what he assumed were her four adult children at her shoulder. He had not been certain when they said the names but he could see that they had three boys and a girl. They all shared Tomek's small eyes, marking them apart from the Manish woman and the other heavily pregnant Tiefling woman, who stood with that group. Two of the boys clearly took after their mother in colouring if not in height, while the other boy and their daughter were the image of Tomek, right down to their black teeth and nails.

Lastly, there was Valron and his clan. They were five strong, the most heavily armoured and they had positioned themselves in front of their women, clearly ready to cover the tunnel closest to them so they could retreat at a moments notice.

Everyone murmured and grumbled for a minute as they got themselves situated. Ori and Dori pushed through to stand next to him, his little brother looking particularly excited and a little flushed.

"They're so interesting, Nori!" Ori gushed. "We saw the Library, where I met Ghissa, who is very nice by the way and the Nursery, there's so many little one. And there was this big fancy door with all these symbols carved into it, and I think it was like the Sacred Halls of Mahal? I hope at least one of them comes with us. I've learnt quite a bit in this short time and I still have so many questions."

Ori had always had questions, especially when he was a child and couldn't go find things out for himself. 'Nori, why is the sky blue? Nori, why are men so tall? Nori, why is Dori mad at you again? Nori, why do you always have to leave?' He'd got that last one quite a lot.

"I think you'll probably get your wish." He mumbled back, sweeping his eyes over the assembled adults across the table from them.

This was obviously the 'Council'; each of the Clan leaders and Xoros, who stood apart. Why wasn't Xoros standing with those that were obviously his Clan? Instead the slightly younger looking version of him, with the single golden ring in his ear, stood in the place Nori would have pegged as his own.

He was about to ask Ori, who had already taken out his writing supplies and was scribbling away, what he might have learnt when a stick was handed to Xoros. It was no longer than his forearm, with pebbles on short strings hanging in lines. With a flick of his wrist, the stones rattled against one another and everyone quietened.

"I call the Council." He intoned and the reddish female with feathers tattooed to her cheeks pulled out a leather bound book, ink and quill. "We speak in the common tongue so our guests may understand. Is everyone here?"

He received short nods from each of the clan leaders but one. The youngest looking, the one who stood beside Danira. Her skin was the colour of the sand in the south as the sun set, orange and dark, but vivid all the same and her hair was a deep reddish brown. It was thickly braided and swept around the two black ram-like horns on either side of her head, which flicked out to the sides. She had two golden rings fastened to the points of her horns, reminiscent of some of the fancier earrings he had seen in his life. Her black finger nails and teeth were the same as Tomek's but her eyes were round and dark. Dark like the scales that seemed to work their way up her arms, lightening until they were a smoky grey just before her elbows.

"Adun, First Son and Violet, his pair-bonded are away, visiting her family. They were too far to hear the summons." She explained and he noted the Tiefling scribe was writing everything down, as was his brother besides him.

She received a nod from Xoros before he turned to the Dwarrow. "Then I ask our guests speak, so that all may hear their words."

Danira

And hear their words they did. But not from the Dwarven King, as she had expected, but from his Advisor, Balin, Son of Fundin. Gandalf sat among the outlanders, smoking his pipe, only watching for now, as the Dwarves told their story.

A good story it was too. A people chased from their homelands by a terrible evil, not really too dissimilar to themselves. A dragon by the name of Smaug, described as the greatest calamity of their age. But now it was time, or so their Seers said. Time to make their way to the Lonely Mountain once more and reclaim their lands, their mountain and their treasure. Of which they were willing to part with a substantial share of the gold and, more enticingly if less vital to her people's continued survival, gem stones, in exchange for a spot of burglary.

This, if they succeeded, would be very good for both the Dwarves and the Tiefling. They found themselves in growing need of more land. The Tiefling had hidden themselves away while their number was so small. When they had first stepped through the portal, not knowing where they would come out or if it would even be habitable, they had only numbered twenty-six, eleven adults, two of whom were pregnant and fifteen children, aging from fifteen to only a few weeks old. They hadn't been in a place where they could defend themselves.

Now they numbered ninety-seven, with the recent birth of Stalos and the death of Asalla, the only one of them that had gone on to Arru since the portal. Enough that the land they had secured for themselves was straining to feed them all, despite their most fervent efforts. They had to send larger hunting parties further afield the last two cycles to make up for the lack but it would not be sustainable for much longer.

The promise of gold, glory and adventure had grabbed the attention of the youngest among them, so she was sure that King Thorin would not be without volunteers. In fact, Eston, Second Son of Dasan, was practically alight with burning desire. She could feel him fidgeting and flexing at her back, waiting for his que to declare his intent. She already knew that there would be no stopping him if anyone had a mind to.

Still listening to every word that was being spoken, Danira subtly turned her head so she could see her brother better out of the corner of her eye. She knew that he could feel his son just as she could, knew him just as she did. Eston was a fierce fighter for his age and had been aching to prove himself, especially of late. But he was also a little reckless and... Well, young. Inexperienced of the world and it's ways. He had left their home only to hunt and occasionally to Bree to trade, but never without at least one Elder, one who remembered the times before they came to this world and found within it freedom and a relative safety they would never have found anywhere in Toril.

She wondered if Dasan would want to go with him?

If he did, it would mean leaving behind Ghissa, his other children, his grandchildren. That was something she thought he would struggle to do. Not that they wouldn't be safe without him, because they would. As safe as they ever were, protected by Clan and Kin. Still, Dasan had not left Ghissa's side for more than a week or two in all the years they had known each other, even before their bonding. Especially since sometimes, rarely of late but occasionally all the same, Ghissa would become quiet and drawn and listless, her inner fire smothered and fragile. In those times Dasan was best at looking after her until he could coax back her spark, fan her flames back to it's natural roar. Danira did not like to think how much worse it might be for Ghissa, for all of them, if Dasan were not here to be by her side.

Josen, First Son of Dasan, would likely not wish to go either. While skilled in hand-to-hand, deadly with a staff and processing the skillset needed in a thief, his youngest had only been born a little over a moon ago. Lythra, Josen's pairbonded, was up and about, perfectly able to raise and care for their children with the support of the Clan but Danira didn't think that would be enough to enable Josen to leave either.

Zahra, First Daughter of Dasan, didn't seem inclined to go either but then again, she was particularly harder to read than most of their kin. She had always been an eerily calm individual but since beginning her training with her father she had only grown more so. Rarely did anything but serene contentment cross her face.

Danira turned to her left to glance her sister, Raxanna, Second Daughter of Beless, who would not go either. Not only were all her children still small, her youngest not having seen her second nameday, but also wouldn't see it as her place as the Clans' only Cleric of Their Lady of Mysteries. Her duties were here with their people.

Which only left those of her own Blood-Daughters old enough to go.

While Melina, First Daughter and Thyza, Third Daughter both had very young children and Rikku, Second Daughter was about to burst with her second, Tamsin, Fourth Daughter had not yet done her part to strengthen the Clan. She still had a cycle before she was old enough to have a babe of her own, by law. In other words, free from that responsibility, Tamsin could come and go as she pleased.

But would she choose to go on this quest? Danira did not know.

One of the Elders would have to go with them, those who would travel past the Eastern Mountain range, past the great river they had only heard tale of, to a solitary peak and a dragon's nest. The risk might be great but the reward would be greater still and would secure the future of their people. Someone experienced should go to see it through, to watch the younger generation's backs and help them survive not only the dragon but the journey itself.

Truly, there was no one better for the task than herself. Her youngest child was six and old enough to go without her for a significant amount of time. She knew Dasan, Ghissa, Raxanna and her older daughters would all look after the young ones among her Clan. She knew how to fight, to track and hunt, to survive in the wilderness and most importantly, Danira knew how to steal. The Cornflowers framing her face were not the sum total of her person. She was so much more.

Something she could easily prove by looking at all that surrounded her.

Tieflings free of chains and Masters, making their own decisions about their future, in a place they had built for themselves. Her own daughters fully grown and unmarked in many of the ways she had been herself. Never would cornflowers be tattooed to their skin to signify their fertility and place as pleasure slaves. Never would their mythic virginity be sold to the highest bidder. Never would their own babes be ripped from their arms to be shipped half a world away. Never again would anything like that happen to those of her blood.

She had played a part in all of that. She had followed in her Mother's footsteps, followed all the lesson she had been taught in whispered words, followed the plan with a heart full of faith and hope and determination. To get everyone here, where they could live and grow and die free.

It seemed right that it would be her, Danira, First Daughter of Beless the Divine, that led her people into further prosperity. Fore there was great risk in this Quest, more so even than there had been in her last journey. At least this time she could take on most of the burden herself. She would not be dragging all her people into the dangerous unknown with her. The Clans would stay here and should they fail, no harm would come to them. The other Elders would find some other way to feed their increasing number. They had time before the situation became too dire.

"If the Tiefling was to..." Danira spoke once Balin had finished, pausing so she could search for the words. "...lend our help to your Quest?"

She knew already what was on offer, of course. Nesta and Tomek had been quick to fill her in on what they had been able to ascertain. A fourteenth of a mighty Dwarf Hoard was nothing to sniff at. And while the gems they may acquire would be helpful, no doubt, gold only got you so far. It was a soft metal, cold and worthless if you could not trade it.

So after Balin had assured them of what they would be owed and pushed a contract written in Westron towards them, Danira asked about the mountain itself, and in particular, about the land surrounding the mountain. The contract was slid up the table to Ghissa, one of the few Elders who could actually read Westron.

"The land itself is called the Desolation. Burned again and again by the dragon, it is a barren land." The dwarf told her. "It's at least a days journey to get from the Gates of Erebor to Dale, the nearest town of men, abandoned now of course. And that is on horseback."

So a good lot of land, and that was only in one direction. Would the Dwarves want to farm it, once the Mountain was theirs once again? Her people would be able to farm it better, especially those with a closer relationship with The Great Mother. That was half the reason they had been able to sustain themselves on such a small plot of land as long as they had. And while she didn't think they were many enough to show themselves so fully yet to the peoples of Arda, a nation of Dwarves as close allies, geographically and politically, would certainly help.

"And will purchasing some of this land with our share be a possib'lity?" Searching the eyes of the King as well as his advisor. "We have many good farmers among us, second only to the Hin."

"The Halflings." The Red-headed Dwarf with the starshaped hair clarified in a low voice.

Nori was their spy. Or at least he had the feel of a Rouge about him and was lending the King his services for the Quest. He had two brothers; Dori, older and maybe a merchant and Ori, younger and the scribe. The two of them had followed Tamsin further into the compound and had come back with Ghissa, looking to be in deep conversation. And since Ghissa wasn't one for strangers, she knew they had at least been polite and calm.

If she had to judge the character of their uninvited guests and possible travelling companions, it was looking positive. Although, the King had not said much; he seemed a stoic type and he was given her a hard time reading him. He inspired true loyalty in the Dwarves he had bought with him, at least and that wasn't something that could be forced or bought.

"You wish to purchase some of the land surrounding the Lonely Mountain?" She could hear the obvious scepticism and suspicion in The King's voice.

"I wish for good future for my people. One of Food and Family and Freedom." Something in the King's face changed, his eye softening ever so slightly. "If we can buy land that is ours to live on, to farm, to build, then I have done my duty by all my daughters and all their daughters after them."

Murmurs of the Dwarvish language greeted her statement. A small amount of the natural tension the dwarves carried was released and after a nod from their King, negotiations continued. The contract that had been presented to them was read out, translated where needed and the Voices of the Clans began to quibble over the wording, adding extra causes to guarantee that talks would be held over the land they wished to buy should their mission be a success.

A few of the Dwarves grew obviously bored rather quickly but it was obvious that the longer it went on the more respect they gained among the shorter race. Clearly, the Dwarves of Arda were not so different from the Dwarves of Toril. Haggling was a highly respected skill and they put as much importance into contracts as her people did.

Eventually, Xoros called for a vote to decide if all the Voices agreed with the terms.

"Moros, First Son?" He intoned, looking to his eldest child.

"I vote Yes." He inclined his head slightly to the King of Dwarves, bobbing his fists as he did so.

"Tiena, Priestess of Nesharia?" Turning to her and the single daughter she had at her back.

"The Contract is solid. I find this trade to be good for all." She replied, giving the contract legitimacy it would have lacked without her say so.

"Danira, First Daughter of Beless the Divine?"

"I vote yes also, for the good of our people."

"Yalina, Second Daughter of Sefris?"

"Yes." She answered, her chestnut brown hair falling in front of her face as she looked down at her slightly rounded stomach, laying a single hand on it.

"Nesta, Shadowdancer?"

"I agree to these terms." She said as she glanced to the youngest of her son's to reach adulthood, obviously worried that he would want to go with Dwarves.

"Valron, Battlemaster?"

"Yes. I wish on those who go quick minds and strong arms." He conceded wiht a sigh while subtly letting his doubts be known.

"Then it is decided." Xoros declared, banging his stick on the table and setting the stones rattling against one another. "Now I ask who will go with these ones?"

There was only a momentary pause before Eston audibly thumped his fist against his chest and announced his intent to journey with the Company of Thorin Oakenshield.

"And I will join you, Cousin." Her daughter's determined voice sounded from behind her.

Tamsin was standing tall as Danira turned to her, a fist held against her own chest just over her heart. She had been looking to Eston with a smile but as her gaze shifted to her, there was a flicker of defiance in her eyes, as if daring Danira to say something against it. But even if she had had it in her heart to deny her daughter her choices, all she could do was tilt her head forwards in acceptance. By the Laws she herself had discussed, decided and codified, Tamsin was old enough to decide her life for herself.

"As will I." She stated, turning back to face the Dwarf King, who nodded his acknowledgment before she looked to Xoros. "I call on Melina, First Daughter, to take my place as Voice of our Clan while I journey."

She knew that Dasan and Ghissa would help her in anyway she needed, give her advise and guidance, just as she knew neither would want the burden of duty laid directly on their heads. And just as her mother had done for her, Danira had taught her daughters all the lessons that she had thought they might need. Melina would do a fine job. Her Clan would be in fine hands.

Melina only looked startled for a second before her face firmed into determination. "I am honoured, blood-mother, heart-mother. I will speak fairly for our Kin in your absence."

"As you are to leave with the first light, let us celebrate this night." Xoros announced, bringing the Council to a close.

But before anyone could begin to speak or move, Danira heard a gasp from behind her and turned to see Rikku bent forwards, a hand clasping her heavily pregnant stomach. Melina was at her side, one hand on her sister's back and the other hooked under her arm in case she fell. Everyone else of her Clan had circled her instinctively, while not actually getting closer enough to smother her.

"Rikku?" She asked as she put a hand to her daughter's stomach, trying to get a sense of the life within her.

"I've been having contractions... all day... but they've gotten..." She grunted. "...Much worse in the last hour or so. My water's just broke."

The life within was as strong as it should have been but there had definitely been a shift since she had last felt for her grandchild's life. They would be brought into the world soon.

"The baby is coming!" Danira called to everyone as she began guiding Rikku through the crowd towards the East passageway, Melina supporting her from the other side.

They moved out of the way, even as every Tiefling in the room threw their heads back and howled The Lord of Battle's name at the top of their lungs. Rikku would need any strength he might bestow on her.

She heard Eston call out behind them in the common. "We are to celebrate twice over!"

Moments later they were joined by Ghissa, Lythra, Thyza and Yalina as they took the quickest way to the Birthing room, pausing on occasion as Rikku rode out a contraction. It wasn't too long before they reached the room and were able to lay her on the bed and begin getting everything ready.

"Yalina, you will take lead." Danira told her.

"What?" She exclaimed, disbelief and anxiety clear in her tone.

"I will be gone for a year at least, if not more. Long have you worked under me in this matter. Now is the time to take charge." She explained to her heart-daughter as the others in the room moved to get things ready, a hand on her shoulder both steady and reassuring. "You can do this, you are touched with Shiallia's gift, more so than I will ever be. The Daughter of the Forest works her will though you."

Rikku had clearly heard this as well because she called out for Danira as another contraction hit and she bared her teeth through the pain with a long hiss. She was by her daughter's side in a two large steps, kneeling at her bedside and taking her hand within her own.

"It's okay, my darling. I will be here with you the whole time." She crooned. "Now, you know what to do. Breathe, just breathe. You are strong, you can do this, just like last time."

Melina had knelt by the other side of the bed and helped Rikku out of her clothes and into a birthing robe while Danira had spoken to Yalina. Now she took her sister's right hand and breathed encouragement as her hand was squeezed to the point of pain every few minutes or so. Thyza knelt beside Melina when she returned and Lythra joined them shortly after, sitting beside Danira.

Together they waited for Yalina as she prepared her equipment and began to centre herself, settling between Rikku's legs. When she began breathing more deeply, each of Rikku's clanswomen mimicked each breath, falling into the shared rhythm. Yalina's magic rose with the first long note of the prayer. With the next note, they joined their voices to hers; asking Shiallia to lend her strength to Rikku and Tempus to protect her and the babe in the ensuing battle, espousing Rikku's virtues and worth, singing of the love her clanmates had for her.

Long practised in the Bardic Arts, Danira had no problem funnelling her magic to the Song and Yalina both. She could feel a fraction of tension flee Rikku's body as a measure of the pain was taken from her. Not all but some. Then Yalina was moving, placing her hands on Rikku's stomach to feel the child within and get a sense of her body's rhythms. The two of them locked eyes, Rikku's dark blue pools never straying from Yalina's smoky greys.

With the next contraction the Song peaked and they all felt a distant echo of the contraction flow through the magic that filled the room. They went on like that for a while, the Song ebbing with the ever quicken beat of Rikku's body, until it was finally time to begin pushing. Rikku's hissing graduated to grunts as she began to push, and Danira reached over with her free hand to brush her daughter's hair out of her damp face.

Yalina's voice tapered off to a hum as she used simple signs to encourage the expectant mother along, halt her when necessary and remind her to breath when she briefly forgot. The four others voices rose to a fever pitch as the head was born, followed by the rest in a small gush of liquid.

The babe's screams filled the room as the Song came to it's end.

"A Son, Rikku. You have a boy." Yalina announced, tying off the cord and cutting it with a pair of scissors.

She passed the infant to Danira as she reached for her grandson, having pushed her sleeves up and away from the gore that still covered his skin. She held on to him only long enough to note the was the Blood of Levistus like his Mother and her blood-father, before she laid him on his Mother's bare chest. His fine hair was the same extremely pale turquoise that was almost white, his skin the same light blue if a little splotchy as he screwed up his face and his horn nubs, which were still covered by a thin, almost see-through layer of skin, were located just behind his small pointed ears.

"He is perfect." She told her daughter, leaning closer as she helped her hold him to her newly revealed breast.

"Yes, he is." She agreed in a whisper, a tear falling down her cheek.

When she felt her next contraction, Danira took her grandson, her second as Melina had given her little Pernos three cycles previous, and moved to bathe him. By the time she was done and had wrapped the babe in the soft blanket that had been awaiting him, Rikku had birthed the placentae and Yalina had taken it with her to spread in the gardens. With only clanswomen remaining, the four of them surrounded the bed, simply looking on at Mother and Son.

"Do you know what you will name him?" Lythra asked from next to Danira.

Rikku didn't look up as she answered, but continued to stare down at the babe in her arms, stroking his whispy hair.

"I thought to name him Villik or Vakrys if he were a boy but now he is here..." She replied with a tilt of her head. "I shall name him Temvar for Our Lord of Battles and hope his birth is an omen in favour of this quest you are to undertake, Heart-Mother."

"Temvar is a good name." Was all she could bring herself to say to her daughter. "A strong name."

They sat together for a while longer talking and basking in the new life that had joined their Clan. Still, Danira knew she had to get back. She was to leave with the dwarves in the morning and she wished to know them better. But first, as the Voice of their Clan, it was for her to present Temvar to everyone.

"Shall I take him now?" She asked Rikku as a silence settled between them. "Melina will come with me and bring him back to you after."

"You're not coming back?" Her daughter questioned as she handed over her son.

"I will later," Scooping little Temvar into her arms, Danira couldn't help the small smile that crept on to her face as she looked down at him. "And I promise to see you again in the morning before we depart."

Lythra, her eldest's nephew's pairbonded, offered to stay with her until Yalina returned while Thyza and Melina followed her back to the Dining Room and the celebration that was taking place there, spreading out into the courtyard. Someone was playing the fiddle and some else had picked up a flute. The fire pit was lit and a spit had already been set up awaiting the carcass of the sheep they had already sacrificed that night, which was strung up by it's legs, it's blood draining into a large wooden bowl beneath it. Benches and chairs had been brought out and many of the Dwarves sat among her kin, talking and sampling the finger foods that were being passed around.

Everyone turned as they entered, eyes drawing to the babe in her arms. Cheers irrupted, mingled with praise and thanks to the Gods. Most had a drink in hand, raising them to the sky before quieting down to hear her speak.

"Hear this, Clans of The Tiefling, Honoured Guests: King Under the Mountain and his Company. I present you Temvar, First Son of Rikku, of the line of Beless, the Divine." She announced as she held her grandson up so everyone could see his round face, her cadence slow as she struggled to translate the traditional words. "May he bring Strength and... Plenty to our Clan."

Cheers sounded again and the music was picked up once more. She handed Temvar to his Aunt, asking if she would stay with Rikku for the night, in case her or the little one needed anything. Melina only dipped her head in acquiescence, taking the infant into her arms and turning back the way they had just come.

Thyza had already left to talk to Pylia, Brinith and a few of the human women that had pairbonded to some of the males of the Clans, no doubt discussing Temvar's birth and Rikku's battle. Xoros was seated next to the Dwarf King, looking to be in deep conversation as the King's Guard stood at his shoulder. She had a mind to join them but decided against it for now. Instead she found Eston hovering near the sacrifice, waiting for the blood flow to cease before skinning the animal. She had to make sure he knew what he would likely need the coming morn and how to pack everything efficiently. Then she would do the same for Tamsin, before joining the celebration proper.

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Thank you anyone who takes the time to read this.

Please comment with questions, criticisms and praise if you feel like it. I'm really not sure if things are clear, you know, without giving away too much and/or being too info dump-y. Next up Thorin and Eston...