Here is a long, juicy chapter for you!

In Balin's private chamber a fire was blazing in the small chimney, and a tea pot was placed on a small hook, warming water for their tea.

Inneg - which we will call Cornelia, since Cornelia is her real name - was sitting in an armchair, leaned back among soft pillows. Her eyes were closed, and her breath was so light that, hadn't it been for the small frown curving her eyebrows, she looked in deep sleep.

Balin was sitting in front of her, on another armchair, and on a table among them two cups were waiting to be filled with water. In a small golden plate with some reddish leaves were ready for their tea.

"How are you feeling, lass?"

"Tired." The answer came in a whisper. "Very tired. But I thank you for your kindness. I... I had no idea were I was wandering."

Balin nodded. He believed her. The look of utter confusion he saw when she had bumped into him, and the fact that Cornelia had mistaken him for Gandalf, were enough of a proof for the old Dwarf.

"My memories are still out of reach." Continued Cornelia, speaking more to herself than to Balin. "But I clearly remember Gandalf. Mithrandir, he is also called."

"Yes. Yesterday you seemed a little... shaken, hearing his name." For a moment, Balin had hoped he could recognise any accent in her speech, but Cornelia's voice was flat, and void of any particular inflection, and the Dwarf couldn't hear any indication that she was from the North, or the South, or the Elves.

"I do not remember much of yesterday." Cornelia lifted a little from her chair, and opened her eyes. "But I remember... His eyes, clear blue eyes. And his smile. I see Gandalf smiling at me, and laughing, and his eyes are twinkling then, like stars." As Cornelia spoke, her hands moved in front of her tracing invisible lines, as if she was trying to sculpt Gandalf feature out of thin air. "I can't tell now when or where did I met him first." Her hands fell, and the picture remained incomplete. "But I can clearly picture him in my mind. It is like he had always been there, somehow. I feel he is... important to me. He knows me, for sure. I called his name, before the shadows closed over my mind."

"Did you have to meet with him here?" Balin asked, putting a few sleeves in their cups.

Cornelia show her head. "No," she sighed. "I was just... I remembered... I was hoping to see him." then the girl snorted, and her eyes sparkled in the light of the

fire. "You can't exactly have a meeting with Mithrandir. He says he is always on time. It's a pity we have no idea of which time marks his clock."

Balin chuckled. The glint in Cornelia's eyes, although small, was wit and alive. The girl with the golden hair was finally emerging from her confused state, and she looked like she was one of a kind. "I guess this is a good definition for our old friend."

Cornelia's eyes sparked again with interest. A small smile stretched her lips. "You know Gandalf?" She asked expectantly. "Have you met him?"

"Yes." Balin hesitated a little before responding. "But were you with him when... when the shadows closed over your mind?"

Cornelia closed again her eyes. Remembering of those last moments was wearing her out incredibly. "No. I think... No, I was not. Or I wouldn't have been caught by the Orcs."

"Sure, sure." Balin nodded to himself. "And do you remember where you were the Orcs got over you?"

Leaned back in her chair, Cornelia opened her eyes again, but her gaze was lost in the shadows of the ceiling. For a few moments, she didn't say anything, as if she the idea of speaking again was too exhausting itself.

Cornelia grimaced, and squeezed her eyes. "I remember little. I was... I was running. I hadn't my cloak, it was... the thought of my cloak kept coming into my mind. I do not remember why." She frowned. "I kept falling, getting up, and running. Suddenly, it became strangely dark around me, and my vision went blurred... I remember that I thought... I thought it couldn't possibly be already nightfall... And then I forgot where I was running, and why was I running..."

She breathed slowly a few moments, before finally saying. "I don't remember anything else. I can't remember anything at all, actually. I am sorry, it is... It's all... It's all strange, and blurred. It's like knowing that something is right in front of you, but... But it is enveloped by a thick fog, and you are not able to understand what it is."

"I see." Balin murmured. Well, if Cornelia hadn't been able to speak a word for days, it was pretty normal that her mind was still confused.

Balin looked at her once more. In the light of the fire, her hair glinted like pure gold, and her eyes were of an indefinite colour in between green and blue. The line of her jaw and here forehead were elegant and sharp, and for a moment the Dwarf was tempted to ask her if she was an Elf or not, but luckily he stopped himself in time.

"Truly you don't remember anything?" he asked instead, taking a few reddish leaves and putting it in the cups. "Not even a place, we might help you reach? A family, maybe, that you left behind?"

'If the lass has still a family! The Orcs might have slain them all.' Right, that was an option - a sad, dreadful one! - that no one of them had taken into consideration.

But the woman in front of him shook her head again. "No. I can't recall any family to my mind. Or home... I can't tell if I... I assume that I had one, however..."

Cornelia had closed her eyes. The effort of speaking had completely drawn her energies.

In the silence that followed, Balin considered that, pretty as she was - at least, he was pretty sure Cornelia was pretty for Men standards - it was highly probable that she had an husband. 'But then, why is she remembering Gandalf and not his lover, or her children, is she has any?'

On the fire, the teapot hissed, and Balin stood up, taking it from the hook and filled their cups. A strong scent of mhyr and rose coated the room.

"But the way, to answer your question, we do know Gandalf." Balin clicked his tongue. "He has helped us with... Well, we have much to thank him for."

"Yes." Cornelia had opened her eyes, and a faint smile. "The young Dwarf, Ori I think he is called, was reading something to me yesterday. And a couple of days ago, when we traveled over the water..."

Balin nodded. She remembered Esgaroth, and Ori's journal. "I am glad to see you remember a little of the past days, lass. Then I guess you know where you are now."

Cornelia gave the Dwarf an affirmative nod. "Erebor, the Kingdom Under the Mountain. Where Smaug the dragon has lived, until he was slain. And where a huge battle has taken place, at the gates of the city." she took a small breath. "I have heard talking about the Lonely Mountain, and how Thorin Oakenshield wanted to take it back for his people."

"And he did!" Exclaimed Balin. "You have met Thorin already, you remember him, right?"

"Yes. I am afraid you can't really forget your first meeting with Thorin Oakenshield." Cornelia snorted. "I believe I should thank him for his hospitality."

"You can do that later. He must be still sleeping now." Balin pointed at the cups. "These leaves come from a valley near Erebor. They make a wonderful tea, very refreshing."

Cornelia smiled. Balin was caring indeed, and kind.

She picked up her cup and took a small sip. The tea was still hot, but it was truly refreshing, and the smell was sweet and nice. She relaxed a little on the armchair. "Thank you, Lord Balin."

"Balin is just fine." The Dwarf took a sit in front of her, picking up his own cup. "You have been unconscious for a couple of days, before you woke up near Esgaroth. Out party found you trapped with some Orcs. Do you remember that?"

"Yes." Cornelia smiled. The memory of the city, of its crowded streets, of a shop with a seamstress flying around like a crazed bird, and then a dinner at a nice inn, and then... 'The Morning Star...'

While Cornelia's memories of the past days were slowly going back into place, Balis was immersed in deep thoughts.

So, it was possible that Cornelia had been drugged before the Orcs were on her? And by who? Maybe there was also a spell, apart form the drug? 'Maybe this is why is so difficult to her to remember who she is?'

However, Balin doubted Cornelia was able to respond to those questions just yet. "One of our healer told us you might be drugged by the Orcs." He said instead "Do you remember something of the time you were... held captive?"

Sipping her tea, Cornelia struggled to get back one image, one sentence, but it was all wrapped in a thick fog her mind couldn't penetrate. "Only... It was dark... I was cold, and afraid... We were moving, I think... I got yanked here and there is some sort of... of cart, or wagon... It is not a pleasant memory."

She took another seep of tea, and sighed. 'For how long will I be like this?' She asked herself.

Seeing her tormented expression, Balin patted her hand lightly. "Don't sweat it lass. You were sure awake enough, for you had hit hard the Orc that was about to have the better of Fìli!"

Cornelia chuckled. "Oh yes. That is something I remember. I heard someone screaming, and I saw... Was it something like a skewer? Anyway, I threw it at that hideous creature!" but then she went serious. "But who is Fìli?"

Balin gaped at her. "You know, the prince." he started, but Cornelia tilted her head, perplexed. "He is blond, quite tall for a Dwarf."

Cornelia blinked, unfazed.

"The one with braids in his beard. Well, many of us have..."

Still, Cornelia shot lightly her head. Fìli? "Well, Fìli is always with his brother, Kìli."

Seeing the girl still with no idea, Balin was about to say 'The one that doesn't tear his gaze off from you, likes to hold your hand, and is doting on you like the poor idiotic in love youngster he is.', when Cornelia's eyes suddenly brightened. "Ah!" she laughed. "Yes, the lightbringer!"

Balin lifted an eyebrow at her. "'Lightbringer'? His name is Fìli, lass."

"Fìli and Kìli, of course!" Cornelia laughed again, filling the room with that silvery, light sound. "I remember them both now! I am sorry Balin. In my confused mind, I used to refer to Fìli as lightbringer. You see," Cornelia explained, and as she spoke about Fìli, her smile was a little wider, and her eyes a little more alive. "the night in Esgaroth I woke up... I remember I went to the roof, I wanted to see the Morning Star... I must have woken him up, and he came with me on the roof, but it was dark in the inn, so he brought a lamp with him." Cornelia shrugged with an apologetic smile, and drank from her cup. "Since then, he was Lightbringer to me."

Balin stiffened a chuckle. Oh, that was a thing that was going to send Fìli walking a feet feet from the ground, 'and his grumpy uncle brooding for Durin knows how long!' "I see... Well, his name is Fìli."

"Yes." Cornelia finished her tea, and right after she yawned soundly. "Fìli Lightbringer. Alright."

Balin took the cups. "Sounds good to me, Cornelia."

"I am sorry. I guess I need something stronger than tea to wake me up." muttered Cornelia when she yawned again. "Wasn't that tea drugged as well? I think I had enough of drugging for a while."

Balin bursted out laughing. "No, absolutely not. You had a few tiring days, and it's still early in the morning. You just need more rest. Lie down here and have a couple of hours of sleep now."

Cornelia tried to protests - she didn't want to trouble the old Dwarf, sure he would have liked to have a little more sleep himself, but Balin brushed it away. "I am old, much older than you might think! Let me go and have a stroll, now that all these young Dwarvings are still sleeping, and Erebor doesn't look like a formicary!"

He then turned and went to the door, and by the time his hand reached the doorknob, Cornelia was lightly snoring.

Balin hadn't told Cornelia the whole truth about the tea.

The leaves he had used would not have made her sleep, or cloud her senses more than what they already were. But in that particular valley Balin had discovered, was growing an extremely rare, and powerful herb. It was called the 'truth-teller', and it had probably other names in some other ancient languages, but Balin didn't know them.

'The herb doesn't make you tell the truth - such herb would be a terrible weapon indeed! - but that makes you sneeze if you tell a lie! Ha, what a lucky discovery had I made at that time!'

Balin was too wise to use such herb often. He couldn't even remember the last time he had used it.

'But it was necessary in this case. If nothing, to make Thorin more well-disposed towards the lass! She has been sincere, and means no harm towards us!'

The old Dwarf looked back at the woman, sleeping peacefully in the dim light of the fire. Her hair, sprawled all around the pillows, looked like a golden crown, a beautiful jewel that no goldsmith could hope to replicate.

Slowly, Balin closed the door behind him. "Lad!" He called a guard that was passing by. "You are you young Aìn, right?"

"Yes Lord Balin." The guard, a young, tall Dwarf with a chestnut long beard and staggering dark blue eyes, bowed respectfully. "Aìn, son of Glaìn!"

Balin nodded. "Very good. I want you to stay in front of my door, Aìn, and don't let anyone and anything enter or exit. Do not move from here before I am back, no matter who o what may come!"

And then Balin had rushed to his brother's room, waking him up, and then the both of them rushed to see the King.

Thorin was already up He listened with great care and surprise to the recount of Balin's conversation with Cornelia.

"So, no family, no home, and a Gandalf's friend!" Dwalin spat on the floor. "For the love of Durin!"

"I am sure she will be able to tell us more about herself in a few days." Balin said thoughtfully. "From what she said, it seems to me that she was meant to be delivered to someone, and that the Orcs were taking care of the transport. Besides, I personally believe someone had cast a spell on her. The drug was causing only part of her confusion, and if now she can't remember, it's because an enchantment of some sort has been laid over her."

"But who might want a simple woman?" bellowed Dwalin.

"Clearly Cornelia isn't be a simple woman. Or there wouldn't have been the need of a spell to capture her." Thorin spoke slowly. His brain was working fast. It was hard to connect all together the information they were slowly gathering. 'If I only knew were Gandalf was...'

But the Wizard had went away a little after the Battle. Some Wizard-errands, surely. Thorin wished to have him at Erebor now, to solve this mystery, and having an answer to all his questions.

"You look very worried, Thorin. Cornelia is a friend of Gandalf!" chuckled Balin, seeing Thorin's deep scowl. "And we all know the sort of people Gandalf befriends! Our dear Bilbo is a good example! A simple Hobbit, but see what he has accomplished!"

"Ha! That is also true..." Dwalin nodded to himself. "Our burglar had surprised even me!"

But if Dwalin was satisfied, that Cornelia was a friend of Gandalf was a very small gain for Thorin.

"She might be lying." muttered The King.

"She might, but she is not." Balin winked. "I gave her my special tea. You know, the one I made from those special, special plants I found near here..."

"Ha!" Dwalin bursted into laughing. "The special one that makes you sneeze if you do not tell the truth? Great idea brother!"

"Yes, that one!" Balin smiled at Thorin. "And the girl hasn't even scratched her nose! Either she is resistant to the effects of the plants, which I doubt, either she really knows Gandalf! And Gandalf's friends are our friends, now isn't it?"

"Why am I always the last one to know the important things here!"

Cornelia woke up as a high piercing female voice cut through her ears. "No breakfast! Ha! You all really want that poor girl to starve!"

'For how long have I slept?' Cornelia, now much more awake than that morning, looked around the room. The fire was still blazing. She mustn't have been asleep for much long.

Marching steps sounded in the hallway outside, and they stopped in front of the door. "Let me in!" commanded the voice. "Let me in immediately, Aìn son of Glaìn, or I will not respond of myself!"

"Princess..." came the weak, trembling voice of a man. "Lord Balin has said that no one-" "And I am ordering you to open this door right now!"

Cornelia sneered. She remembered that voice, those marching steps, and the complaint of not being informed on the spot on everything that as happening in and out of Erebor.

The girl stood up from the armchair, preparing herself to receive princess Dìs. But of course, no one could never be prepared for that storm that was the princess of Erebor when entering a room.

"Dear child!" Dìs cried, slamming the door open, and flying to squeeze tightly the girl at her chest. "You are finally awake and good!"

Cornelia's breath was knocked out of her. She coughed, but the princess only squeezed her more. "So good to know you are talking again!"

Cornelia wanted to observed that a broken rib was probably going to make her mute again, but as already said, her lungs were compressed by the short, strong arms of Dìs, daughter of Thrain.

"Ehm, thank-" Cornelia tried to say, but her words were cut briskly by the princess.

"No need to thank me for anything dear! I am so glad you can finally speak!" the princess let go of her, then inspected her closely. "Your name is Cornelia, right? Yes, you have the face of a Cornelia, indeed!"

Cornelia had no time to ask the princess how did she knew her name, for she felt sure she had spoken to Balin merely minutes ago, when a short maid with raven tresses and a small beard entered the room. "Princess! Princess! The King and Lord Balin are coming this way!"

"Oh Durin's love, couldn't they just wait a minute!" bellowed the princess angrily. "Have you got what I told you, Rena? Yes? Good, now you lass, move here, you can't meet the King of Erebor with a nightgown!"

Before Cornelia could protest - mainly to agree on the fact that yes, the King could have waited a minute before wanting to see her - the maid, who Cornelia recognised immediately as Rena, had opened an envelope she was holding, taking out of it a pretty slate grey and indigo dress.

"Quick! Off that nightgown!" commanded the princess, "And the hair! Rena, we need to move! And I have no intention to make Cornelia meet the King without having eaten something!"

As soon as Cornelia stepped out of the nightgown, she found herself in the underskirt, and a few seconds later, Dìs was adjusting the indigo skirt on her front,

"Ah I rememebr this dress!" Dìs murmured, tightening the lacing of the corset on her chest. "Grey is a little out of fashion now I guess, but it will have to do!"

"Thank you, there was not nee-eek!"

"No speaking while we are tightening the corset, dear!"

"Such a flattering silhouette!" was murmuring Rena from behind Cornelia, trafficking with the back of the corset. "Ah, to be young, princess! There are a few other dresses I was able to retrieve."

"Good Rena, perfect! Bring all of them to Cornelia's room!"

"Ah, so Miss Inneg is called Cornelia?" Rena looked up at the girl with great surprise.

"Inneg is very fine." Smiled Cornelia, "You can ca-ack!"

"What did I say about speaking when we are tightening the corset?" hissed the princess, turning Cornelia with a swift movement of her tiny hands and forcing her sitting on the couch.

"Rena, is that a basin the one I see here?" asked the princess, already with her hands adjusting Cornelia's hair. "Yes? Good, bring it here, wash this lad face-no, you don't move Cornelia, otherwise your hair will not look as they should!"

Cornelia surrendered at the the Dwarrowdams, and let them was her face and do her hair. They looked on a war footing regarding her being presentable, so she didn't dare rebelling. Even if she got the feeling that she was lucky that it was the princess braiding her hair and not Rena.

"I am sorry to cause you all this trouble..." Cornelia was able to murmur when Rena had washed her face with a wet cloth.

However none of them was listening to her. "Ah, my brother!" muttered the princess among gritted teeth, working fast with her fingers. One braid, two braids... "Being always between Men and Dwarves! He has no idea a lady needs a little time to prepare, I am not saying hours, just a brushing!"

"It's because Dwarves tend to braid their beards and not really their hair! We got much more work to do!" Rena gave Cornelia a meaningful look and winked.

"Well said Rena! Well said! Do you have a pin? Good, now it's done!"

And with a satisfied sigh, the princess let Cornelia finally go. "Oh, if she doesn't look good!" beamed the princess, lifting the girl's chin and admiring her.

"Indeed princess! Indeed!" echoed Rena from behind her, silently blaming Lord Balin for not having a mirror in the room. 'Ah... Dwarves!'

Cornelia had the feeling she was babied and dolled, but the effort Dìs and Rena had put into dressing her, washing her, and doing her hair, was such that it was impossible for her to be mad or annoyed. She felt grateful, instead. Had she been on her own, she wouldn't have even a cloth to cover her.

Therefore, Cornelia bowed deeply to the two Dwarrodams. "Thank you!" she said. "I am sorry I couldn't speak sooner!" It sounded a little silly to say it, since they knew it already, but it was the only polite thing that Cornelia could thought about.

"Ah, lass, for a few dresses and meals!" Smiled the princess. "And we couldn't just let you go around with a ragged cloth!"

"You look good, Miss Inneg!" Echoed Rena, who was still amazed at the thinness of Cornelia's waist and felt very proud of how they had tightened the corset. Once again, the Dwarrowdams have quite thick waists, and even thought they are rightly proud of their strong forms, being able to tighten the corset always gives to them some sort of proud - if because a dame must be extremely strong to properly thigh a corset, and therefore Dwarrowdams take pride in the strength of their arms, or because tight corsets give a certain shape to the body, it is not to know.

Anyway, Cornelia did look good indeed. The dress Dìs had provided her was giving justice the her figure, as Rena had noticed, 'not like the horrible working clothes she was wearing lest nigth!' thought the maid.

This dress, although very simple, was flowing gently around her hips and waist, and her pale skin stood out against the indigo neckline.

The princess had braided her hair in a - rather elaborate - triple braid, rolling it on her back of her neck, were is looked like a bright pool of gold.

Seeing the satisfied expression onto Dìs and Rena's faces, Cornelia was about to thank her again - really, she could feel a slight blush starting to creep up to her cheeks, but Dìs interrupted her before she could even open her mouth.

"Oh child, don't you even dare to thank us again! You saved my son's life, and you were all alone! The least we could do was giving you somewhere to sleep and something to eat! Well, if someone hadn't allowed you to skip breakfast!"

Princess Dìs grabbed an armchair and places it with the other two next to the fire. "Let us sit down for a few moments now. Rena, go to that lad out of the door, Aìn is his name, right? Tell him to knock when the King is coming! And then go to the kitchen, and bring something to eat for the three of us! Yes, you are sitting and having breakfast now, I got you up so early! And having this child without any breakfast is pure cruelty!"

As they waited for Rena to come back, Dìs asked a few, cautious questions about Cornelia's family and friends. Like Balin, the princess had thought only that morning that, if Cornelia had been captured by the Orcs, there was a little chance that some of her family, or people she was with, had survived.

And if that was the case, Dìs was more than ready to keep Cornelia ta Erebor, as long as the girl needed.

The princess remembered too well how it was to lose the warmth and security of home and beloved ones, and she had promised to herself to never, never, allow anyone in need to suffer what she and her people had. Too many doors had been closed on her face, for her to have the heart to close one herself.

But despite Cornelia tried as hard as she could to make order in her thoughts, and Dìs saw many small lines wrinkling her forehead, the girl with the golden hair couldn't remember a thing.

On the other hand, was thinking the princess, the fact that Cornelia was an archer, and was perfectly at ease in trousers more than gown, opened the option that maybe she didn't had a family at all - and this option Balin hadn't taken into consideration, because, you know, Dìs was Dìs, and Balin was just Balin.

Dìs had though also that maybe Cornelia was some sort of thief on the run, but that didn't explained why the Orcs wanted to keep her alive. 'And we would have seen it.' Thought the princess. 'I can recognise a delinquent of any sort, or I am not the mom of Fìli and Kìli of the line of Durin!'

And she was Gandalf's friend as well, wasn't she? That alone excluded the option that Cornelia could be a criminal. 'Gandalf's friends might be... questionable, but I doubt he would ally himself with an evil girl!'

Dìs then had taken the conversation back to Erebor, asking Cornelia how did she liked it, and the girl had admitted she couldn't remember it all that well. "I remember the past days as they were a dream. I know Rena was with me, and yesterday I believed I was with Balin. I remember beautiful golden pillars, and silver floors, and the Dwarvish lamps hanging everywhere."

"Oh, but you have to see a little bit more!" protested Dìs, who was taking great pride in the City Under the Mountain, and was eager to finally show it to someone who was not a Dwarf. "And Esgaroth is a really pretty city, now that trades with Erebor had started again! Ah Rena, good!" had chimed the princess, seeing Rena entering again the door - obviously, Aìn hand't dared to stop her. "What have you brought us?"

Everything Rena could manage to put on a tray, so it seemed. Among a tea pot and three cups stood scones, pastries, boiled eggs and ham, cheese and bread, butter and a whole jar of strawberry jam.

Rena had even been moved to pity by Aìn son of Glaìn, who had been unfortunately caught in between the orders of Lord Balin and Princess Dìs, and had given him a scone before entering again the room.

The maid put everything on the small table where Cornelia and Balin had took the tea before, and before Cornelia could make a movement, Dìs had already poured the tea, and Rena was spreading some butter and jam on the bread.

"So, you are an archer!" Dìs exclaimed, passing Cornelia a cup of tea. "At least Dwalin said so, the first night you have been here!"

Dwalin right, the tall, tall Dwarf. Cornelia shook her head, looking at her hands as they held the cup of tea. "I guess so. Before I lost consciousness, somehow... I remember I was running and... And looking for my bow and arrows. So I guess it is true."

"Memory will come back to you in no time!" Dìs encouraged. "But eat something! Otherwise your mind will remain blank like the one of a troll!"

Cornelia snorted. Troll, yeah, those big monsters... Stupid, big monsters. Dìs intercepted that snort immediately. "Ever seen a troll?"

"Tall, big, and with huge hands?" an image was slowly making its way into Cornelia's mind. "Green?"

"Yes, they are!" Dìs chimed, serving herself more tea and a scone. Then she went serious. "But when did you get to see a troll, child?"

Cornelia caught the interest in Dìs eyes. She wished to have been able to answer the princess with all her heart, but she knew just as much as her. "I can't tell when or where, your majesty. I hope I would be able to give you more information about me so - and about the troll I might have seen, it you are interested. However, if I am still alive, it means I had, somehow, the best of the monster."

Rena chuckled. "That's the spirit!"
The princess lips twitched in a laugh. 'Smart girl, I knew it.'

Studying attentively Cornelia as the girl looked down at the tray and chose a scone, Dìs realised she couldn't put down the thought that Cornelia was not entirely human. 'On some moments she looks lost and confused like any other scared Men- child, other times she looks like she is able to survive in the Wild with no other help than her own.'

The princess was immersed in these thoughts, when they heard a light knock at the door. "Yes?" She called, pouring more tea in their cups.

The head of Aìn peeked inside the room. "Princess, Dìs, the King and... And... Uh?"

Dìs stared at the young guard, and raised an eyebrow, but unfortunately Aìn was too lost in the vision of Cornelia, to notice the frown of the princess. The girl with golden hair, who was still sipping her tea, completely oblivious of having broken one of the King's guard.

Rena giggled behind her hand, and glanced at the girl with golden hair, who was still sipping her tea, completely oblivious of having broken one of the King's guard.

"Well?" Dìs finally barked, pulling Aìn away from his momentous fantasies.

"And-ehm... King Thorin Oakenshield and Lord Balin!" Aìn announced with voice maybe a little too high, so that Cornelia jolted and almost sent the cup on the floor.

"Even if the King is coming here, there is no need to scream!" said severely Dìs, putting down her cup of tea and mentally scolding Thorin for not giving them time to take a proper breakfast.

"Rena, quick, put this away! And you girl, back straight - here you go! Now, I don't know if you remember my brother, but do not get too much impressed! He looks hard as a rock, but has a kind and willing heart!"

"I must thank you for giving me shelter, Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain." Cornelia bowed deeply. "My name is Cornelia."

Thorin and Balin had entered a minute later Aìn had announced them. Thorin had looked Inneg - Cornelia, he had remembered himself - with such a hard stare that it had been hard for the girl to not lower her eyes. However, she believed she had nothing to fear or to hide, and after being properly introduced to the King, she had decided the first thing that had to be done was to thank him.

Thorin tilted his head in a small nod of acknowledgement, and smiled, but his smile didn't reach his eyes, that remained wary and suspicious. "Cornelia, then. And where do you come from, Cornelia?"

The question - the first question the King was asking her since she had started talking again! - was so abrupt, that stood there, feeling embarrassed and unsure of what to say.

Next to the King, Balin quietly cleared his throat. "Memories are slow to return to her, my King. She remembers Gandalf quite clearly, and calls her his friend."

"I am." stated Cornelia, with a little more sharpness than she intended. However, Balin took little notice in the curt answer. "You are, yes."

Thorin said nothing, but if possible, his eyes became colder. "And why did the Orcs kidnap you?"

Well, that was even less expected. 'Am I under some sort of interrogation, or is the King one that really doesn't beat around the bush?' Probably both.

"I am sorry, I don't know the answer to your question." Cornelia voice was flat, but her eyes of many shades of blue and green were fixed upon the King Under the Mountain. The defiant look she had the first day emerged once more, making Thorin clench his jaw. "I as much surprised as you to see that I am alive."

Dìs and Balin to exchange a glance. Sure the lass had some guts. Not everyday the King Under the Mountain got spoken in such manner. Dìs allowed herself a small smile. 'Smart, but stubborn. I like her, but she should know she is walking on thin ice.'

"Where is your family, your kin?" asked severely Thorin, who didn't share her sister liking for Cornelia. Now that the girl with the golden hair was awake, he had the full impression that the wild beast was not only out of its cage, but also ready to snap his jaw above some prey. "Where is your home?"

However, the only thing that really snapped was Dìs head in the direction of her brother. It was not the moment for this kind of questions! 'And with such a spiteful tone!'

"Home?" Cornelia looked a little puzzled. "Home..." she said it slowly, furrowing her brows deeply, as if it was the first time she heard that word.

'Home' was a simple concept, and Cornelia believed she knew what it meant. But the more she tried to link that word to herself, the more it seemed distant and strange. 'Maybe I have no home?' she thought with terror for an instant.

"Home, yes. Is it in Rohan? Among the Rohrrim and the horses?" Thorin tone was sharp.

"Rohan? I... I know Rohan, I have heard it... But I don't think it's there..."

"Is it in Gondor? The Shire?" Pressed the King Under the Mountain. "Eriador? Do you leave in Mirkwood, or do you come from Rivendell?"

The mention of Mirkwood and Rivendell made Cornelia widen her eyes a little, but nothing more. She seemed to have forgotten about the fear those name had awaken in her the previous day, noticed Balin, and he was thankful for that. It was not the right time for the girl to trust again onto tears.

"I am afraid you might name every city in the whole Middle Earth, and still I wouldn't be able to answer you. I am sorry." Cornelia bowed her head at the King hard tone, and she grimaced with a little disdain. She didn't believed she was deserving all of those questions, in all fairness.

Under her tranquil appearance, Dìs was fuming. Hadn't considered his brother that Cornelia might have no more a home, or a family? Didn't he know how Orcs reduced to dust everything on their passage?

"Well, dear," she cut her brother next question. "Don't worry about that now. Soon you will remember everything, and you will be able to go back!" There was little to no chance someone had survived the passage of the Orcs, but Dìs kept that consideration for herself, of course. She ignored her brother huff, and smiled tenderly at Cornelia. That girl was all alone, after all! "You can stay here for as long as you need!"

"No, I see I have already caused much trouble to you, and-" "Nonsense!" stated Dìs, shooting his brother a glare that would have incinerated Smaug on the spot. "You are staying here! A pity I have to do many things today, otherwise we might have had a look around, showing you the city a little. Right, brother?"

Thorin felt the pointed look of Balin on the back of his head. Right, he was the King. He had the last word. 'Considering that Balin has already talked to her... It is true that little harm can come from keeping her at Erebor a few more days...'

"Then it is decided." Said finally Thorin. "You might stay at Erebor, for as long as you need." He added. Damn, he didn't want to make anyone believe Dwarves couldn't allow themselves to host a woman for a few days, after all!

Dìs sighed in relief, Balin let out a small breath, and everyone could hear Rena in the back huffing, venting her nervousness. Then, Miss Cornelia was going to stay at Erebor, it was the only sensible solution, after all!

"Well brother, seems like we are on hosting duty today!" "Considering that we are not busy for today, it's only just!"

The four in the room turned simultaneously over the door, where a young, blond Dwarf, with eyes clear like the sky was standing. Next to him, another Dwarf with brown eyes and hair was looking at Cornelia with a huge, bright smile.

Cornelia narrowed her eyes at the two, but immediately a smiled pulled her lips. "Do you remember us, right?" asked Kìli hopeful.
"Well, just in case... Fìli!"
"And Kìli!"

And then, much to Cornelia's amusement, they both bowed, saying in unison, "At your service!"

Cornelia smiled broadly. "Yes, I do remember of you." she said, bowing gracefully. "My name is Cornelia. Thank you for rescuing me."

"No need to thank us!"
"It's you who are saving us for today, honeslty!"
"Don't you worry mom! We'll keep an eye on her!"
"We'll bring her to have breakfast, you are happy, mom?"

And before Thorin could protest - what in the name of Durin were Fìli and Kìli planning, and above all, why was he not being consulted? - the two brothers had took one of Cornelia's arm each, and had exited the room, slamming the door closed behind them.

"Those two..." muttered Thorin through gritted teeth, unable to put into words the annoyance storming inside him.

"Oh, come on, brother, you aren't mad, are you?" asked Dìs cautiously. She was Dìs, but Thorin was still the King. "You have seen Cornelia is not harmful, right? I am sure she is such a sweet girl, and soon we will understand where she comes from, and she might return home!"

Dìs had rarely seen his brother so rigid with someone in need, and guessed the behaviour of Fìli and Kìli hand't made the situation any better.

"Next time she speaks to me, she'd better remembering she is speaking to a King." Grunted Thorin. "Biting back in such a way!"

Balin huffed. "I think you are more worried about Fìli and Kìli than about Cornelia. Honestly, I am as well. Your nephew together are much more dangerous than any girl that doesn't remember where does she comes from!"

Fìli and Kìli had heard Balin talking with Thorin that morning. Silently pressing their ears at Thorin's door, the two had withdrew just in time before their uncle had stormed out of the room, still discussing with Balin and Dwalin about what was the best thing to do.

"If she is truly Gandalf friend, then surely this pends in her favour. However, even the Elves are Gandalf's friends, and those are not welcome in Erebor!" they had heard their uncle saying severely. "Dwalin, you will attend your usual routine. Wait for us at the stables. Balin, come with me. Let's go and see this famous Cornelia!"

Fìli and Kìli had exchanged a glance. "So, Inneg's memory is back?" Kìli scratched the back of his head.

"Not all of it." murmured Fìli. "We don't even know how much time has she passed with the Orcs. There is the chance that she doesn't have a home anymore."

Kìli had silently nodded. He too knew too well what Orcs were capable of. "Aye. That's horrible, but I guess we can keep her, then."

"Maybe." Fìli lips curved in a smile. He thought back at Inneg - well, Cornelia, wasn't Cornelia a beautiful name? - her golden hair, the elegance of her traits, and that something in her eyes...

A snicker distracted the Dwarf prince from his thoughts. "What?"

"Nothing!" snorted Kìli, elbowing him. "Just noticing a happy smile on your face. Thinking about someone in particular?"

"Me? Never!" Fìli laughed, and returned the jab. "But we should do something for Cornelia. She saved my life!"

"Something like making her stay at Erebor for the rest of her life?" Kìli winked. "Let's go to Balin's room. She should be still there!"

And so, they went, and, despite the glaring of Aìn, who was still standing right out of the door, they eavesdropped the whole conversation. In the moment they heard their mother declaring Cornelia was to stay in Erebor until her memories were back, only a glance was needed in between the two, to know what they had to do.

Breaking out in the room, taking advantage of the fact of everyone confusion - Cornelia's in the first place - Fìli and Kìli were out of their uncle and mother's reach within a minute.

Fìli knew their small outburst was not going to pass easily. But he was glad to be scolded like a Dwarfling later, if that meant he could stay with Cornelia now.

After she had bursted into tears the night before, Dìs had called Rena, and the maid had put Cornelia to bed. Fìli had been so upset and puzzled by that behaviour at the mere name of Gandalf, that had gone to his own chambers a little after.

His brother had woken him up early the next morning. "Inneg is up!" He had said. "She was wandering in the corridor in front of my room a while ago! I was about to exit, but she bumped into Balin!"

In a minute, the two brothers out of their room, and had arrived at Balin's chamber right when the old Dwarf was coming out of it, commanding Aìn son of Glaìn to guard the door. So, Fìli and Kìli had gone after the old Dwarf, and heard what he had said to the King, as we already know.

Knowing that Inneg was called Cornelia, that she was talking and that she was Gandalf's friend, whatever that meant, had been so much of a shock for Fìli, that he hadn't believed it, until he had heard her talking. And now that Kìli and him were dragging her along the hallway, and he could feel Corneli clutching to his arm not to fall from the stairs, he felt he was walking a few feet from the ground.

"You will like Erebor so much, mom is right!" was saying Kìli, as they walked out of the King's quarter. "We can't show you everything, I am afraid, but..."

"Not the forges!" Snorted Fìli.

"Rigth!" Echoed Kìli. "We have spent the whole day there yesterday, it was simply awful!"

"A torture! We barely survived!"

Cornelia snorted. She remembered those two all too well. Especially the blond Dwarf that was still holding her by the arm. 'He is the lightbringer...'

Seeing Fìli Lightbringer reminded her of a particular dinner a few nights before, when she was wearing a beautiful green gown... She blushed, remembering how he had told her she looked 'stunning'. Also that the invitation to that dinner had been made with an apple.

Suddenly Cornelia felt incredibly flustered, and was glad that his brother, that was walking swiftly next to them and talking non stop, was at the moment the centre of all the attention.

Kìli was very excited about Inneg being Cornelia, and in general about her staying more at Erebor and with them. He liked her, she looked funny and she was an archer, right? And teasing his brother about her was priceless, so Kìli really hoped she stayed as long as she could.

They walked through more corridors, and chambers, one more beautiful than the other, but Fìli and Kìli didn't stop, until they reached the most grand, impressive and splendid hall Cornelia believed she had ever seen

"This the King's Hall!" Announced Fìli, smiling with great proud at the gaping expression of Cornelia.

"Fìli, she has already seen it a few times!" protested Kìli. "We can all the Halls of Erebor after breakfast!"

"But never when she was completely awake!" Fìli smiled brightly at Cornelia, then at the Kings' Hall, and to his eyes both of them were equally beautiful. "Now, how do you like it?"

His eyes sparkled of joy when they saw Cornelia staring in awe at the huge room. "I have seen it, but... But now..." The girl was speechless.

It was like comparing something you had seen in an old dream, and something you see in the bright light of the day.

Its ceiling might as well have no end, the its pillars, so huge that not even five Dwarves could have hugged them, were in the dark green malachite. The floor was in white and black marble, decorated with huge rubies, topazes, and quartz, and gold and silver veining running from the throne of the King to where the eye could see.

Around it, on stairs of white marble with brass railings, Dwarves and Dwarrowdams were walking swiftly, directed to their workshops, or to the market, or simply to one of the main tavern sparse all over Erebor, where Dwarves could stop by to eat or drink something at any time of the day.

It was one of them who Kìli wanted to take the other two. "I am hungry!" he said. "We should go to Nuli's!"

"Aye!" Fìli shook lightly Cornelia's arm. "You will like Nuli's!"

And before Cornelia could ask what Nuli's was, Fìli and Kìli were dragging her in another alley.

Again, they passed room after room, each of them filled with Dwarves and Dwarrowdams. Cornelia noticed how many of them were staring in their direction, observing her carefully, and whispering something among themselves.

Fìli and Kìli were not bothering of those curious stares, and kept chatting and planning were to go after breakfast. Fìli was in between the two, turned to her brother and discussing whether to bring her to the terraces before or after lunch, and was still holding tightly Cornelia's arm.

From time to time he was glancing at the girl. Seeing her busy admiring the City Under the Mountain was filling his chest with great pride. He couldn't wait to be seated at Nuli's, so he could have finally talked to her.

"Here is Nuli's!" cried Kìli at a certain point.

They entered a huge door in the corridor, and they arrived in a spacious room with a low ceiling, filled with tables and chairs. A few Dwarves were scattered here and there in small groups, eating and drinking at the table. The walls were decorated with green gems as big as Cornelia closed fists. They looked like emeralds, but certain they couldn't be, right? The smell of baked sweets and tea was impregnating the air, and Cornelia didn't know if she liked more the huge gems on the walls, or what was making those heavenly scents.

Fìli and Kìli were walking on a table at the centre of the room, when something attracted their attention. Well, someone.

"Bombur!"

Cornelia turned her head from the gems encased in the walls, and immediately saw him. It was hard not to see Bombur, in fact.

Hearing his name, Bombur had lifted his head from his breakfast, and his face lighten up seeing the trio. He couldn't speak for he had his mouth full - and Bombur was not going to risk to lose food by spitting out trying to speak - so he gestured them to sit with him at his table.

"Inneg can talk now!" said Kìli sitting next to him. "Since this morning."

"We are making a tour of Erebor. She doesn't remember much since the last days. Don't you?" Fìli had gallantry helped Cornelia sitting next to him, sad to have to release her arm. And Cornelia felt a little colder, too.

Cornelia made a small bow with her golden head. "Hello, Bombur."

She remembered of Bombur, of course. He had been very kind to her when she first woke up, and gave her food. She remembered that strange beard, so long that that the Dwarf was wearing it like a necklace - and since often beards are regarded more than jewels among Dwarves, Cornelia's comparison was the fairest possible.

Bombur was so taken aback hearing Cornelia talking and remembering his name, that sadly he forgot to swallow before talking, sputtering food all around. "H-ll-uh! - glom - Sorry, Hello, Inneg! Uhm! You do remember me!"

Cornelia giggled. "Yes, I do. You gave me food, and-"

"Well, considered that Bombur is Bombur, it's hard that he has given you anything else!"

A high pitched laugh had sounded from behind Cornelia. She jolted on her sit, and when she turned, she was eye level with the biggest pair of breasts she had even seen. And right above them, the small pointy, black beard of a young Dwarrowdam.

"Hello Nuli!" From next to Cornelia, Fìli smiled. "How are you doing?"

The Dwarrowdam called Nuli huffed and sniffled loudly. "Working, baking and keeping Dwarves hands away form me, Fìli of the line of Durin!"

Cornelia eyed the Dwarrowdam from head to toe - it took Cornelia very little, since the Dwarrowdam wasn't taller than four feet and a half. She had an absolutely disproportioned chest and back, and her hair, black as a raven, where tied in a dozen or more braids, intricately tied up on the top of head, adding one feet more to her height. Her lips, full and red, were standing out against her olive skin, and were pressed in a small grimace of mock, but her eyes, as black as her hair, were shrewd and sparkling.

"It's so early in the morning and you are already mad at me, Nuli?" Fìli pouted. "How is it possible?"

"It's because it is not early in the morning for me! I have been working since the in the morning! I am not one of those pretty, high ranked crows that follow you around!" The short Dwallowdam bit back, puffing out her chest proudly, and almost knocking Cornelia down from her chair.

Nuli ignored Fìli's pout, and immediately turned to Cornelia instead, eyes sparkling interest. "So, you are the famous Inneg!"

Cornelia swallowed. The Dwarrowdam piercing eyes were scrutinising her with inquisitiveness and delight at the same time. 'Maybe more delight', thought the girl, feeling like a little bird in between the claws of a cat. "Actually, my name is Cornelia, and-"

"Too late! Everyone knows you as Inneg already!"

Cornelia mouth fell open. "Everyone?" she asked cautiously, glancing at Fìli and Kìli.

"Aye lass, you don't dine twice at the King's table and get no one to know your name in Erebor!" Nuli swiped her hands on a small cloth at her side, snuffling. "We love gossip too much for such a juicy news not to spread in minutes! But I hope your sweetheart hasn't brought you here just to waste my time! I am no princess, and I have to eat!"

'Sweetheart?'Cornelia was suddenly too embarrassed to say anything, but to her luck, Fìli was quick to step into the conversation. "Ehm we are all here for breakfast, Nuli! What do you have for us today?"

Fìli's cheeks were tinted with pink, and if Cornelia was too flustered to notice, surely Nuli did notice it.

"The usual." Huffed the Dwarrowdam, looking at Fìli with the same sly eyes. Two birds in between her claws! "Homemade pie with custard, raising bread, scones with almonds, pastries with blueberry, and of course ham, eggs, bacon, sausages, beans and potatoes. And tea, to keep all of you Dwarves from getting all porky!" she said, winking in the direction of Cornelia.

"We are not porky!" protested Kìli, who could feel his mouth water at the thought of the custard and raising bread, and ham and eggs, and pretty much everything Nuli had listed.

"Tell your friend there!" Nuli clicked her tongue, and the bantered smile with which she greeted Bombur was enough to make the poor Dwarf become as red as a tomato. Round as a tomato he already was, anyway.

"Then we are in your hands!" Fìli chuckled. "And would you bring me some beer as well?"

Nuli grimaced. "Beer in the morning? Are you a savage or something, Fìli of the line of Durin?"

"Oh, but Nuli!" Fìli pouted even more, and for Cornelia it was simply impossible to fight back a smile. "Pretty please? Would you refuse some beer to me, a mighty warrior asking for a mug of ale?"

"How could I!" Nuli said dramatically, winking again at Cornelia. "Name a Dwarrowdam that would refuse anything to you, apart from your mom!"

"Oh, you know I am too modest to think everyone is interested in me!" said Fìli with a smug face that would have made every Dwarrowdam faint here and there. Everyone, but Nuli.

"'Too modest'?! Ha!" and by saying so, Nuli sniffed, winked again at Cornelia, and walked to another table, swinging her huge hips.

Cornelia saw her leaning over a table to clean it, and slapping hard the hand of a Dwarf who had been - to her opinion - too close to her chest. In defence of said Dwarf, it was quite difficult to get out of the way of Nuli's chest, for the vastness of the space it rightly occupied. It has already been said that Dwarves have the highest respect of their dames and would never dare to lay a hand when not explicitly authorised - and even then, they would do it with a little bit of hesitation.

"So, you met Nuli!" Kìli sprawled in his chair, grinning so widely the tip of his mouth were reaching his ears. If it was because of the thought of the majestic breakfast

awaiting them, or because of the blush on his brother's face, it is not know - probably for both reasons.

"Yes." Fìli cleared his throat, glowering at Kìli in a threateningly way. And to divert the attention form him, he chose to tease the fourth member of their group. "Quite a nice dame, isn't she, Bombur?"

In front of his sneering friends, too flustered to speak, Bombur found nothing better than to bury himself in his plate again.

"She has the most beautiful and best furnished tavern of Erebor!" continued Fìli, turning to Cornelia. "It's almost always her who prepares food for the King's table. Balin is fond of her blueberry pastries!"

"Everyone is fond of Nuli's blueberry pastries!" Kìli looked longingly at the kitchen door, where Nuli had just disappeared.

Are you liking the story so far? Ah, I have so much in mind! Cornelia is really one of a kind, just wait and see!