A/N: I want to send a shoutout to MrsTChrist for reviewing and supporting my story! I hope I'm not breaking your hearts too bad. I love Thorin, but we all know he has never had it easy, so why would love be easy for him. Please keep reading and enjoying my story, and know that I appreciate everyone who has kept up with this story

A few days after the collapse, the miners had gone back to work as usual and most of the patients in the infirmary had gone home. Kaleria remained in her bed, waiting for approval from Oin so that she could return to her room. With her injury, she had needed longer to recover, but Kaleria hated doing nothing. She had been instructed to lie in bed, and only move when it was absolutely necessary. The only problem was Kaleria didn't like sitting still, and with nothing to entertain her, her stay at the infirmary felt like an eternity.

Kaleria was playing another round of try-to-count-all-the-grooves-in-the-ceiling, when Oin appeared next to her bed with Hedina and Valdrus behind him.

"Miss Kaleria, is the light still bothering your eyes?" Oin asked.

She opened her eyes wide. "No."

"Do you feel like you might be sick?"

"No."

"Do you feel dizzy?"

"No."

Oin nodded his head. "Then I believe I can release you from the infirmary."

Kaleria threw off her blankets, and began reaching for her shoes, when Oin stopped her.

"But, if you regain any of those symptoms, you must report back to me immediately. Understood?" Oin gave her a stern look.

"Yes, master Oin." Kaleria gave him her best smile to convince him she was ready.

Oin walked away, leaving Hedina and Valdrus to help Kaleria.

Hedina shot forward and hugged her friend tightly. "Oh, Kaleria. We were so worried, but we're glad you're okay."

"You should've seen her." Valdrus chipped in. "She acted like you were dead, but I told her you were tough, and you could handle a knock in the head."

Hedina shot a look at her husband. "Don't believe a word he says. He paced the floor as much as I did, while we waited to know if you were alive."

Kaleria smiled. "I am sorry I worried you both."

"Come on," Hedina took Kaleria's arm, "let's get you home."

Valdrus stepped toward Kaleria on the opposite side of Hedina, and together they hoisted Kaleria to her feet, though she knew herself capable of standing. As a group, they walked slowly toward Kaleria's room in the royal wing. Hedina had visited Kaleria here before, but Valdrus never had, and was in awe of Kaleria's spacious room.

"This is all yours?" He questioned, looking around.

"Yes. It's way too much space, but I like it."

"I would hope so. Look at that bed." Hedina commented.

Kaleria steered her friends toward the bed and sat down. "Thank you for helping me to my room. I think I'll rest for a while."

"Of course," Hedina took Valdrus' arm, "we will check on you later."

Hedina and Valdrus left the room, and Kaleria went to her vanity. The healers had begged her to leave her hair down the entire time to avoid adding unnecessary pressure on her head, but Kaleria hated having her hair in her face. She brushed out the long locks, then braided her hair back and twisted it into a bun. Looking in the mirror, Kaleria finally felt like herself. Next, she moved to the wardrobe to pick out different clothing. Although the healers had given her a baggy shirt and pants to wear, Kaleria wanted to be back in her own clothes. She pulled on a black dress with green trim and an empire waist.

Maybe she was trying to distance herself from the accident, but a change of clothes was exactly what Kaleria needed to feel refreshed.

A knock at her door captured Kaleria's attention. She didn't think Hedina would come back so soon, but she didn't know who would be visiting her. She opened the door and her eyes went wide when she saw who it was.

"Hello, Kaleria," said Brerrick.

She hadn't seen him since the collapse. Part of her wanted to slam the door in his face.

"You probably weren't expecting me, so I'll make this quick." He shifted awkwardly, clearing his throat as he moved. "I'm sorry you were hurt in the mines. I didn't know there would be a collapse, but I should've done a better job of protecting you. I froze instead of acting, and I'm extremely sorry for putting you in that position."

He raised his left hand to offer her a box she hadn't noticed. "I hope you will accept this gift and my apology."

It was a long and skinny box. As she looked at it, Kaleria thought it looked familiar. When she opened it, she realized why.

Inside was the dagger she had been looking at for weeks at the shop. The blade had been newly sharpened, and the purple amethyst glittered in the light. She didn't know he had seen her looking at it. She didn't know what to say.

"Brerrick, you shouldn't have."

"No. I needed to. I owe you much more than an apology, and I hope to make it up to you in the near future." He made sure she was holding the box before he let go.

"Thank you," said Kaleria.

Brerrick nodded, then turned and left Kaleria at her door. She watched him disappear around the corner before she closed the door to her room. Kaleria wasn't prepared to see Brerrick so soon. She didn't blame him for the collapse, but she couldn't pretend like nothing happened. Kaleria knew she needed time before she could go back to normal.

Kaleria spent the rest of her afternoon in her room, falling asleep for most of that time. She had awakened with plenty of time before dinner, so she rebraided her hair and secured it in a bun. Her clothes were slightly wrinkled, but Kaleria didn't bother changing them. It dawned on her that she didn't know who she was having dinner with, when someone knocked at her door.

She crossed the room and opened the door.

"Hello, Kaleria," said Thorin, standing on the other side of her door.

"Hello, my king," she teased, bowing her head.

Thorin rolled his eyes, but he smiled. "I see your sense of humor has returned."

"I didn't know it had left." She smirked.

Thorin shook his head, then quickly straightened his back and met her eyes. "Lady Kaleria, may I escort you to dinner?" He offered his hand and waited for her answer.

Kaleria looked down at his offered hand, then back up to his eyes. "You may."

She placed her hand in his and allowed him to loop their arms together. She shut her door behind her, and they began to walk to the dining room.

"You know I could've walked myself to dinner, right?"

Thorin glanced at her. "I am well aware of your capabilities. Is it a crime for the king to escort not only a lady, but a guest of his family to dinner?"

"You have a point." Kaleria patted his arm. "And, if I'm being honest, I still feel a little weak."

"I am happy to help you, whenever you need it." Thorin replied.

Kaleria walked a few steps, processing what she wanted to say next. She hadn't seen him since he visited her in the infirmary that first night, so she had had days to think, rethink, and overthink. He had said a few things that had stuck in her brain like a splinter. She wanted to question him about his words, but she didn't know where to begin, or if he even wanted her to say something.

The moment was lost as Kaleria and Thorin arrived at the door to the dining hall, and entered to see the smiling faces of Fili, Kili, and Dis.

"Kaleria!" The boys cheered in unison.

She giggled as Thorin helped her into her chair. "It's good to see you, too, boys."

"Dinner has been boring without you," said Kili.

Fili elbowed him in the arm, and Kili ducked his head.

Kaleria looked around the table. "I doubt that, Kili. Maybe it wasn't as interesting as you'd like it to be, but I'm certain the rest of your family have enjoyed their evenings."

No one bothered to confirm her assumption, making Kaleria believe Kili might have been right in his statement.

Dis moved the conversation along. "I will tell you what I did miss. In the few days you've been gone, these boys have ripped through a pile of shirts so big that I didn't even attempt to fix them myself."

Fili and Kili both smiled sheepishly and glanced at Thorin, who kept a straight face.

"We try to keep them intact, mother," said Fili.

"I don't believe you," replied Dis, in the flippant way a mother can speak to her children. She loved her boys dearly, but sometimes they were a pain.

Kaleria turned to Dis. "I would be happy to help you mend their clothes, and I can ask Hedina to help as well."

Dis nodded her thanks as she chewed.

"Can we discuss more exciting topics please?" Kili said, bouncing in his seat.

"Yes, like the celebration," replied Fili.

Kaleria furrowed her brows. "What celebration?"

Thorin chose this moment to enter the conversation. "We are celebrating the arrival of the new citizens of Erebor. They have been here for almost half a year now, and we never properly celebrated."

Kaleria smiled. "That's a wonderful idea!"

"Will you come?" Kili asked.

"I would be honored to have you on my arm." Fili smiled and puffed his chest.

"Of course I will attend," Kaleria let out a small laugh, "but I believe I am too old to be escorted by you young princes."

"Uncle can escort you!" Kili looked excitedly toward Thorin then back to Kaleria.

"He'll escort your mother I'm sure." Kaleria avoided looking at Thorin.

"You don't think I could handle two women?" Thorin questioned, a slight smirk on his lips.

Kaleria turned her attention toward him, but her words failed her. She didn't want to refuse him and seem rude, but she didn't want him to escort her out of pity.

"I know you couldn't," said Dis, seizing the opportunity to joke at her brother's expense. "But, Kaleria and I will make it easy on you." She gave a triumphant grin to Kaleria.

Thorin rolled his eyes at his sister.

The princes shifted the conversation toward the festivities, and Kaleria listened quietly from her seat. She was flustered, and she didn't know if it was because the boys had pressured her into being escorted by Thorin, or because he had so readily accepted the task. Was Thorin only being the king he was raised to be? Or were there other motivations behind his acceptance?

As Kaleria thought over why Thorin had agreed to escort her, her eyes fell on his face, only to see that he was already staring at her. When she looked away and looked back, his eyes hadn't wavered. Kaleria held his gaze, waiting for something to happen. Thorin simply gave a nod in her direction, then turned his eyes toward his bickering nephews. Kaleria stared down at her plate, even more flustered than she had been before.