C1: Rana

Rana was walking the vast halls of Erebor by herself again. At this time of night, just after dinner, it wasn't busy, and she enjoyed the silence and atmosphere around her. It was bliss for her chaotic mind and gave her time to think and plan out things. That was what she loved: looking ahead and making detailed and organised plans.

She'd been doing this alone since she'd been old enough to go out without her parent's supervision, or anyone's really. She was sensible and people said she had her head on right and could be trusted. No chaperone. Which meant that when she was with her best friend, they could get away with pretty much anything.

Speaking of which…

"Rana!" A familiar voice called out behind her and she stopped and smiled at her friend.

"Dis," she let her catch up to her and noted the two guards following behind, "your father let you out again? Did you actually do all your homework?"

"Ha-ha," the Princess stuck her tongue out and slipped her arm into Rana's, "he let me out because he knew you'd be here, and you know he likes you. Says you're a positive influence on my wild ways."

Both women couldn't help but laugh at that last bit. Rana was sensible, yes, but she also had a side that only her best friend saw. Privately, the two friends would talk about things they wouldn't dare mutter in the presence of their own families. And they would sneak out to go riding, though the guards would never notice they'd gone. THAT'S how good they were.

"Anyway, I've been told to fetch you," Dis slipped her arm through Rana's and held tight so she couldn't escape, "granda' wants to meet you, FINALLY."

"The-the King?!" She gulped nervously, having yet to meet his majesty in person.

"Well, I just call him Grandfather, but yes," Dis snorted and turned her friend about, slowly marching her back the way she had come from, "it's just a casual meeting and you won't be there long, so DON'T panic. Plus, you'll get a chance to meet Thorin and Frerin as well."

Dis happily chatted away as Rana tried to remain calm. Up until this point, she'd only met Dis' father once before and that was because she and Dis had been friends for a few months. They'd met through a casual acquaintance and Dis had taken an instant liking to Rana when she refused to flirt with one of the pompous young lords that had come to court. They'd talked well into the evening and the next day, since her lessons finished early, they'd decided to meet up and spend some time together. Of course, Rana knew who she was instantly, but just because she was a Princess, didn't mean she didn't like her or was trying to 'score points'.

And since they were spending more time together, out and about, Thráin insisted on meeting the young lady that had his only daughter's attention. She'd been a little nervous, but he'd been so kind and jolly, that Rana had not only won him over, but she relaxed instantly. It also helped that he deemed her 'appropriate company' for his daughter since she always seemed to get up to some mischief or another. Of course, he didn't actually seem upset about it, more like he was reiterating something that someone else had told him.

'She was probably shopped by a counsel member,' she thought, knowing how some of the elder men would try to gain favour with the king by ratting to him about…well, everybody. No one was safe and no one in the Kingdom really liked the Counsel members. Too haughty.

They walked up familiar steps and along corridors that Rana knew well until they came to the royal chambers. She pulled her along to an unfamiliar room and pointed it out.

"This is Da's study. He said he'd be in here with grandfather and the boys. And stop looking so nervous!" Dis quickly turned them about so she stood in front of her friend and grabbed either side of her face, "Rana, you look like you're about to have a heart attack! It's just family, you'll be fine."

"That's easy for you to say, it's YOUR family. To me, it's the King, Princes-"

"Oh, for heaven sake," Dis put her hands on her hips and gave her friend 'the look', "do you see me any different when you think of me as the princess?"

Rana arched one fine brow and tried not to smirk.

"No, but you're one of the most foul-mouthed, troublesome dwarves I've ever had the pleasure to know."

"Cheers for that," Dis folded her arms and looked smug at the compliment, "now, remember that when we walk into that study. You like Da' and you'll like the others. Well, maybe not Thorin and Frerin. One's very serious and the others full of stuff and nonsense. Now, deep breath and into the bear cave we go."

"You know, that doesn't help the nerves," Rana scolded her, but had no heart to it as she WAS actually a little calmer, "alright. Onwards to meet the bear and the rest of the cubs."

That got a little laugh from Dis and as the door was opened, the two must-have painted quite a sight. Rana, smiling but obviously nervous and Dis with her arm through her own, giggling and trying to control her amusement.

All four occupants of the room turned, and she did a small sweep, taking everything in. Thráin, Thrór, Thorin and Frerin. All dressed neatly and looking at her.

'Oh Gods, don't panic!' She focused on Thráin since she knew him best.

"At last!" He said and held one hand out as the other stayed tucked into his wide belt, "There's my wildflower!"

"Oh, Da'," Dis slipped out to see her father, but kept her hand on Rana's arm. Not caring for how it looked, she gave her father a gentle hug and a quick peck on the check.

"And you've brought Rana along, finally!" He looked at the girl as she gave a little curtsey and laughed heartily, "Oh, none of that nonsense, we're in private. Anyway, it's my father who would like to meet you."

Without even waiting for an invitation, Thráin let go of Dis, joined Rana at her other side and placed his arm around her back. She managed to hold back the little gasp that almost spilt from her lips when he eagerly pushed her forward, so she now stood before the desk of the King.

The King.

'Oh, Mahal,' she blushed and immediately dropped into a low curtsy.

"Your majesty. It's an honour."

"The pleasure is all mine," Thrór said in a deep, level voice, "my grand-daughter talks about you non-stop, so I'm glad to finally meet you. Though…pardon me for saying, I would like to be able to look at your face."

Rana, flushing even brighter red, raised her head and ignored the small snigger from Dis (and another from the side that was covered by a cough but was distinctly masculine.)

Thrór was smiling at Rana in what she took as comforting, but he was nowhere near as jolly as his son. He had the air of a King, proud and strong, but she could see the age in not only the lines of his face but the strange, distant look in his eyes. It was almost as though his mind were somewhere else entirely.

"Very fair, fair indeed," he nodded and turned his attention to the side of the desk where the windows overlooked the kingdom, "and these are my grandsons. Frerin and Thorin."

Rana turned, curtsying again, but keeping it much shorter, not only because of tradition but because she was sure one (or more) of them had been laughing at her.

The first male she met was Frerin. He had a large, noble nose like his father and grandfather, but his eyes were a dark blue and he wore his hair tied back. His beard, whilst not as long and nobly decorated, was neatly groomed and he made up for the shortness of it with two long moustache braids that fell to his chest. He wore a deep, rich green tunic and trousers and a thick, brown coat and Rana was reminded of the forest outside the mountain. Wild and free.

He gave her a large smile and stepped forward, offering his hand out upwards.

"My lady," he closed his fingers over hers once she placed her hand there and bent over to place a kiss on her knuckles, "I'm very pleased to meet you. My little sister has told us she had a pretty, witty and elegant friend. I can see she was completely-"

"Talking a load of bollocks!" Dis cackled in the background but hushed up, so her father must have looked at her, "I never said any of that. I said she was beautiful, funny and doesn't fall for stupid, flirtatious boys. So, knock it off, Frerin!"

Rana hadn't really fallen for the charming act, but she did like Frerin when he dropped her hand and smirked at his little sister. He was cheeky and there was that jolliness that reminded her of his father, so she liked him.

"And Thorin, the eldest," Thrór said as Frerin moved back and Rana turned.

And immediately froze. She'd always seen Thorin from a distance and had heard he was handsome, but up close…he was incredibly beautiful.

He had long, jet-black hair like a raven's feather, a strong, defined brow and nose and the coldest, bluest eyes she ever saw. Looking directly at her.

She curtsied again but kept her eyes on him.

"Your highness."

"Lady Rana," he said simply and his eyes moved from hers to his grandfather, "now we've been introduced, may I leave for the meeting?"

And with those simple words and the cold attitude, the spell was broken. Whatever feelings of young lust she felt went away, like someone pouring cold water onto a fire. She still sizzled, but now she was mostly bristling with anger.

That was it?! He didn't take her hand or ask her anything or compliment her. He just brushed her off!

'That rude, smarmy, arrogant-'

"Thorin, lad!" His father's tone was suddenly serious, "We have company! The meeting can be put on hold and really, is that any way to talk to our guest?"

Thorin just shut his eyes and sighed, though it seemed to be more of frustration than apologetic.

"I apologise, father," when he opened them again, he looked at her with cold indifference, "Lady Rana, you will excuse my behaviour, my mind is otherwise pre-occupied."

Suddenly, all decorum flying out the window, Rana kept her cool, calm smile on him, even though her eyes betrayed her feelings of annoyance.

"You're excused. It's not every day someone's mind has more important business than greeting people politely."

She registered what she said a moment after seeing Thorin's eyes widen in shock.

'Oh…. oh no. I'm going to be beheaded. I'm-'

"HA! YOU TELL HIM RANA!" Dis suddenly popped up at her side and looped their arms back together, "He gets away with being rude to people and it's about time someone told him off for it."

Rana and Thorin were still staring at one another and his shock quickly turned back to quiet indifference, though she did note an interesting little red spot on either of his cheeks. Had she gotten him a little angry?

'Good.'

"Dis, perhaps you should take your friend on a tour," he looked at his sister and gave her a cold grin, "I'm sure she'd love to see your favourite spots. The kitchen, the pantry, the-"

"Oh, why don't you just-"

"Both of you," their father interrupted with a sharp, stern bark, "pack that in right now!"

"Dis," Thrór spoke up, hoping to keep things calm, "perhaps a tour is a good idea. I permit you to take Rana anywhere and everywhere she hasn't seen. Just as long as you promise not to-"

"Not to snoop in your room," Dis smiled sweetly and nodded, "I promise, Grandfather. Thank you."

With one last disdainful look at Thorin, Rana turned quickly to the others and curtsied again.

"Thank you for seeing me, my Lord. I hope didn't cause offence."

"None whatsoever," Frerin broke the distance between himself and his brother and swung his arm around his shoulders, "come by anytime. And if Dis isn't here, I'll happily show you around. Perhaps, we can take a walk sometime?"

"Oh, I'll have to think about that," Rana put on a polite smile and turned away, but teased one last time, "maybe in the far future."

'Where did that come from?!'

Despite her rapidly beating heart at her own bravery, she was glad she was no longer nervous, and it helped that Frerin and his father both gave hearty laughs at her parting shot. Yet, she couldn't get Thorin's haughty gaze out of her mind. Nor his shock at her bite. That had pleased her immensely.

"Well, you survived," Dis pulled her out into the hallway and began the 'royal tour' as they went, "although I don't think anyone has ever made an impression quite like that. Still, grandad like you."

"Really? How can you be sure? We barely spoke?"

Dis just shrugged her shoulders.

"It's his way. He can be quiet and commanding, but he always makes his feelings clear. If he didn't like you, he would have asked you to leave when you talked back to that big-nosed brother of mine. That was brilliant by the way, his face was PERFECT!"

Stopping herself and covering her face with her free hand, she laughed and shook her head.

"I can't believe I talked back like that. My parents would have a fit!" When she took her hand away, she couldn't help but laugh again, "I just…I couldn't help myself. He was so…so-"

"Smarmy? He's always been a pain. Love him to bits, but always HAS to be right."

"It's not just that, he's so snobbish? No, that's not the word."

"Hah!" Dis barked with laughter, "Tell it like it is!"

"Oh, he's just so," she struggled to think of the right word, "just so-"

"So what?"

Both girls jumped and turned about, shocked that not only they had been interrupted, but they had been interrupted by the very person they were talking about.

Thorin stood behind them, glowering at Rana with a tight jaw and the intensity in his eyes filled her with momentary panic.

"Continue?" He raised an eyebrow and waved a hand at her, "I'm so…what?"

The way he talked to her…so full of himself and commanding, made her panic flee in an instant. Instead, she felt her anger rising and straightening her back, sticking out her chin and giving him an evil smirk, she happily obliged him.

"Haughty. Arrogant. And very, rude."

Each word seemed to set off a little twitch above Thorin's eyebrow and though she didn't think it possible, his glower deepened. For one mad moment, she thought he was about to reach out and grab her, though she had a feeling he wouldn't strike her. If anything, he might have just given her a good shake.

But Dis, sensing the tension, broke them apart by stepping forward and looking into her brother's face.

"What do you want, Big-nose? Did you come down to continue your behaviour?"

Thorin rolled his eyes at her and shook his head.

"No. Father sent me down," he gritted his teeth and looked back at Rana, "I only came to apologise for my behaviour. I-I am sorry, Lady Rana if my behaviour back there was-"

"Rude?" She helpfully added with a grin and the little twitch went off again, though there was an odd glimmer in his eye, as though he were enjoying their little banter.

"Yes…I was rude. And…haughty," he tilted his head, pretending to think over the words she just said to him, "and arrogant, was it?"

"Very," finding she was enjoying herself immensely, she slipped her arm through Dis' and bowed her head to Thorin, "and obviously you're REMARKABLY busy so we'll leave. Dis and I have important business of our own to attend to."

Without another word, both girls turned and walked away, Dis only waving gaily behind herself and trying not to laugh.

All in all, Rana was glad she met Dis' family. But she had decided, from that moment, that she and Thorin would NOT get on. No, she did not like him, and she may never like him.

'Arrogant Sod.'