Burt was sitting at a table in the kitchen. A cup of hot tea before him and in his hand a bit of bread. He felt spent and weakened. It was perhaps the first time in a long time he was not tense with worry about his family in the ruins. He just stared at the bread in his hand. His eyes following the maze of lines through it and the swirls around the places bubbles had been held some facination for him.

He wasn't even really aware of them when they entered the kitchen. It wasn't until the familiar hand of Hilda reached out and rested on his wrist did he blink and look up to see her sitting beside him. He wore a concerned look in her eyes. He then noticed Haldir in the door way. He leaned against it and crossed his arms. Burt then looked to Hilda. "What's wrong?" He asked and sat up realizing something was definitely amiss.

Hilda exhaled a breath then inhaled slowly. "Burt, Claressa is pregnant." Burt just looked at her confused. He blinked and looked her right in the eye. "What? How is that possible? I mean I know how it's possible but ..." He seemed genuinely surprised by the news.

"You will need to take responsibility Burt." Haldir said in a low deep tone.

Burt looked at Haldir with wide eyes. "You think that I .." He trailed off then pursed his lips together and went silent.

"Look boy you need to.." Haldir started and Hilda stood up and cut him off. "You need to go see Claressa. She is very scared right now and she will need you." She took a bewildered Burt's hand and pulled him along with her as she passed Haldir. Whom was now curious as to what her angle was. She took Burt to the room Claressa was in. The other children either asleep in the other room or getting scrubbed down.

She stood in the window the glass long gone and the shutters open. The night breeze was cool against her face and that was what she needed. She turned when she heard the shuffling of feet at the door. Burt did not hesitate to go to her. His arms wrapping around her and pulling her into a warm embrace. Haldir and Hilda watched from the hall.

"Don't you think perhaps they have seen enough of each other for a while?" He whispered.

Hilda's shoulders sank and she rolled her eyes. "Haldir I don't think he is the one. Did you see his reaction to the news? It just did not read right to me."

They watched as Burt finally released her and lay his hand on her stomach. Claressa was crying and Burt was comforting her. Haldir lifted a brow and looked to Hilda who could only sigh. "I could also be wrong." She muttered.

Word spread far and wide about the rebuilding of Dale. Eventually there would be many who would arrive looking for work. Many came looking to work and to settle there. They seeking a better life than the one they scratched out where ever they came from. Brand found himself overwhelmed with workers and new people and unprepared to house so many. More tents were erected outside the city. Before he knew it there was a whole new city out there complete with businesses and its own infrastructure and supplied by those from Lasgalen.

The rebuilding of Dale now picked up pace. There were plenty of workers to work fields to grow food for the winter. These first crops would not be for profit. This was all about survival. Brand was relieved by the progress being made but of course there would be some problems. Petty crime was up. There were more fights and such. Brand knew if they did not get a handle on it, it would only get worse.

Brand formed a cabinet of advisors. Edgar had been his friend and right hand man for many years. He had known him all his life. Edgar was unmarried and it was common knowledge he was smitten with Bertha though he had not had the balls to act on it. He was a strong man and a man of action on every front except when it came to his lovely Bertha.

Gimli who was the acting liaison between Dale and Erebor became his dwarvish advisor. Haldir became the elvish advisor. The people of the tent city elected a woman named Kal as their representative on the Cabinet. She was in interesting woman who wore a veil and all one could see of her features were dark alluring eyes framed in dark makeup. Her clothing was flowing silk that covered her head to toe.

She was wise beyond her years and also strong in her own right. There was some contention on her appointment from one of the groups within the tent city but ultimately she was elected.

"I agree, there needs to be laws and there needs to be consequences for breaking those laws. We need to know what the laws are King Brand. Then there needs to be those that enforce such laws and a system put in place. I believe the laws of Dale should be those which we follow. The majority of these people are good people and will be happy to follow the laws of the land. They just need to know what they are." Kal spoke in a calm gentle way.

"We can provide you with a list of laws." Brand said and looked her in the eye.

"I think these law keepers should be mix of human and elf for the time being. Unless Gimli feels the dwarves should be involved." Haldir suggested.

"Nay we see narry a reason to get ourselves mixed up in the governmental side. Erebor is separate. We just be a helpin our neighbors." The dwarf shrugged gently and looked to Brand.

"I agree at least here in the beginning the law keepers should be mixed. We are all living together for the time being." He looked to Haldir who nodded then looked the Kal.

"I will select my most trusted to become law keepers. They will need to know these laws and they will need to be trained. Most of us are farmers or merchants. There are few that have ever picked up a sword." She said and then sighed. "Many can not read or write. I would love to see at some point education being provided but that will come later."

The meeting concluded with agreements made on how to keep the peace within this new city. As the other advisors left Brand and Kal were left alone at the table. "Thank you for listening King Brand. We are so used to not being heard. It is refreshing to finally have someone's ear." He could tell she was smiling by the way her eyes moved and the lifting of her cheeks under the silk veil.

"If your people are to become my people then shouldn't I be listening? Most will stay when the city is rebuilt. Whether in the city or farming the land and living in villages. They will still be my people and I do my best to listen always." He smiled at her. "Will you allow me to walk you back? I could use a small break and your company is muchly welcomed."

She looked at him with raised brows then slowly her eyes narrowed and she began to chuckle. "Yes you may walk me back. Just don't get any ideas." She was smirking under the veil he knew she was and her words held a humorous sarcasm. She was growing on him.

"Oh no My Lady." He said as he rose. "I would never get such ideas. I am afraid of your wrath. It is surely terrifying." He offered his hand out to help her rise. She took her and rose from her seat. He was a tall man. Just over 6 feet and she came up to his shoulder. "Damn straight and never forget it. Mercy would not be had for you." She added and he laughed as she slides her arm around his.

They emerged into the bright warm sunlight. His guard following at a respectful distance. Then walked in silence almost all the way through the city towards the gate. He gave off this aura of strength yet the way his hand lay atop hers, as she held his arm, was gentle and she felt safe being so close.

"Would you do me the honor of dining with me this evening? Bertha makes wonderful food from nothing and I would like to share that with you." He felt awkward but was doing his best not to show it.

Her brow arched a bit and she cast him a side ways glance. The breeze blew against the layers of silk she wore and pulled it tighter against her frame. For just a second he saw the shape of the woman by his side, which somehow made her more real to him. "Sure, let me taste the kings food. It can not be worse than the porridge we have been eating. Don't get me wrong, we are thankful for the food we are receiving. It is nourishing but oh so bland." She laughed.

"Well when the new supplies arrive in a few days, I will see about trying to help with that. We are having a hard time with is salt and other herbs. However, I have been assured that salt is coming. I am also told that salted pork and other preserved stock will be arriving soon as well. Gondor is sending supplies."

She nodded and looked to those standing guard at the gates. "That would be very welcomed."

They passed the gates and walked along a now well traveled road toward the tent city. Passing those coming and going. Many gave them simple greetings as they stepped aside and lowered their heads. "Doesn't that make you uncomfortable?" She said and looked to those that stepped aside.

"All the time."

"Then why not just tell them to stop?"

"When my grandfather became king he had no idea how to king. He had been just a bargeman his whole life. Who he was descended from meant nothing in Lake Town. When he killed the dragon everything changed. The elf king came and told him he was the rightful king of Dale. Dale the city that lay in ruin before the dragons horde. He took the city back and the elf king taught him how to king. I think the elves see reverence as a way to show appreciation for the king. Not the King demanding obedience. The people saw the elves doing so for their king and they just started to do it too. I don't demand they step aside or bow. They just do it. If they don't why would I get angry? They might be in a hurry for something important. I have never punished someone for not stepping aside."

Kal was silent as she took in the measure of this man. He was actually a breath of fresh air. She had gotten so used to arguing with the men of tent town, having a pleasant conversation with a man had been hard to find. She stuck with the women of the town whenever she had time.

"Will you send an escort this evening? Because if you are please send someone nice to talk to and not Edgar."

"Why not Edgar?"

"He is always staring at me."

Brand chuckles. "Kal he is nearly blind at short distances. His glasses were broken during the battle. He stares at everyone because he isn't sure who they are until they speak."

"Oh no." She began to laugh too. "I had no idea. Well then you would not be sending him anyway. There is a glass worker in the town. He can help Edgar get new glasses. I will send him tomorrow." She was still smiling. Brand could see it in her eyes.

"I will send an escort I trust Kal. At 7 sharp."

"Thank you." She stopped and slides her arm from his. "I will be fine from here Lord Brand. I will see you later. This meal better not disappoint." She teased. "Tell Bertha it is for me."

Brand watched her walking into the busy streets of Tent Town. She had been smiling still when she turned. He spun on his heels and casually began to stroll back towards the gates.

That morning Hilda had the children up, washed and dressed by 8am. Burt would attend classes now as well. Which did not settle well with him. With more of the citizens of Dale returning to the city from Erebor. Occupying dorm like rooms and small shared homes. It would be just a matter of time before children would be returning. So Hilda was tackling this task with the help of Bertha when she was not busy cooking for everyone. Haldir had other things to be attending so that left Hilda mostly on her own.

She was educated. Rather well actually, having had tutors and even going to one of the many schools that had been set up in Dale. She could at least get the basics taught. Thing was, she wasn't sure how to teach. She had never done something like this. Her eyes swept over the children sitting at their tables. Only Claressa and Burt were still. They sat next to each other and stiffly as their bodies would get. The refused to look at one another. The rest were all making funny noises and faces at each other. Even Conal was making high pitched screeches.

"Everyone sit down and listen." Hilda said and no one stopped. "Listen everyone I ..." She spoke louder and ended up growling at the end.

Claressa began to squirm and she looked to Burt who just stared forward wide eyed. Finally Claressa rose and slammed her hand down on the table. "Listen up you lot." She yelled loudly. Conal even shut up and looked to her. "You best pay attention to Hilda or I swear you will all regret it later. I will make sure you get nothing but bread and water for lunch and maybe dinner. So just try me." She stared each one of them down. Burt finally relaxed and sank into his chair. As she lowered back into her chair Burt leaned over and finally spoke to her. "Well things are back to normal." He whispered. It made her smile.

The younger children were easier to deal with. She gave Gwen and Conal clay to play with and drew letters on paper and put them to making letters out of the clay. Toby, Claressa and Burt were learning math. Each of them had attended school before and Hilda have them 5 problems to work on. She just wanted to know how far along they were. Toby struggled with the last 2 and Hilda had to help him along. Claressa and Burt had a easier time with it. Hilda was encouraged because Toby showed interest and was actually quite bright.

Before she knew it Bertha was coming to take them to the kitchen for lunch. Hilda ended up wandering the halls of her uncles residence. Halls she has wandered since she was just a girl. They had changed since then. Now only half the place was good enough for habitation, as getting the cities infrastructure going again was more important. Yet as she passed the ballroom she found herself pausing at the large double doors that opened up to one of the more opulent spaces in the whole palace. She stood there remembering being a young girl and spinning around endlessly in the wide open space and dreaming of one day dancing there in her formal gown.

Funny how things changed. She grabbed the handles and pulled the doors open and as light from the hall barely filtered in to the room she could tell it was oddly dark within. The roof was for the most part intact. An idea began to form in her mind and she hurried off to get oil for the lamps inside.

Before long she had the room illuminated enough to inspected it. She drew back curtains and opened wooden shutters to let in more light. The cool spring breeze that entered the opened and now glasses windows drove the musty smell away. Yes the roof would need to be repaired but it would not need to be totally replaced. It just needed a good cleaning and some furnishings.

She needed to speak to Brand and if she knew him he had snuck away to have his lunch in peace and that wouldn't do today. She found him walking up the steps to the main hall. A peculiar grin on his lips. Her eyes narrowed as she moved towards him. "I have been looking for you." She blurted out as she fell into step beside him.

"Yes Hilda what is it?"

She smiled and curled her arm with his and pulled him along. He protested with, "I am busy Hilda." and "This better be very important." She just smiled and assured him along the way. She spotted Haldir inside and motioned with her head for him to follow. Soon the children were even following as they left the kitchen.

The procession garnered the attention of the master healer and his protégé. Harvelle finding it exciting and Ro-laurë finding it curious. Then there they all stopped before the large opened doors of the ballroom. Brand walked slowly inside and looked around and then turned to Hilda in confusion. "Yes this is the ballroom." He held his hands out and shrugged a bit.

"Uncle.." She stopped and cleared her throat. "My Lord," she began again. "The city is coming along nicely. There are more people returning everyday and soon we will have families back." Brand nodded and listened. "That means the school needs to be opened for the children. The ballroom is in good shape. The roof would take 20 men an afternoon to patch and I can see to the clean up in here. We can even divide this space into a few classrooms eventually and I can not think of a better use for this space than to turn it into a school for the time being."

Everyone that had been there was watching Hilda and listening to her. Now all those eyes shifted to Brand and he knew they did. He turned to look at them all and sighed.

"20 men or 10 elves." Haldir said as he walked into the ballroom and looked up at the roof. "I think I could spare 10 elves for an afternoon."

Hilda grinned a little but let it fade quickly as Brand looked to Haldir. "You sure of that?"

"Yes Lord Brand."

The King then looked to Hilda and nodded. "They are pulling the slate tiles off the meeting hall today. I will have some good ones brought to you. The children can use them with chalk. Use whatever you can find in the ruins. Books, chairs, desks. This is your responsibility Hilda."

The King turned then and moved through the small crowd that had gathered in the hall. He was muttering about being busy with important things but the look on his face was one of pride and they all had seen it.

Haldir put his arm around her and pulled her close. He kissed her temple and whispered. "This is a very good idea. I will help as much as I can."

She was preparing to have her evening meal with the king. She did not really see this is an excuse to wear finery that was beyond her means. She wore simple robes and simple veils. She had little in the way of jewelry but she did have earrings and beads. "Kal," She heard the familiar tone of the brother as he poked his head inside her part of their shared tent. "Your escort is here."

"Thank you Muta."

"You look rather plain for dinner with a King."

She sighed and turned to look at her brother. "This is just a meal that we will discuss business over. Nothing more."

"Right, keep telling yourself that. You might start to believe it after a while."

Kal rolled her eyes and pushed past the pest and out of the tent where she stopped and gawked a moment at the plain cart and it's driver. The tell elf they called Haldir. He sat on the council as well. He stepped aside and motioned to the seat with a long elegant arm. "My Lady your carriage awaits."

Her brother was loosing it. He watched all this play out and pursed his lips together trying not to laugh and the look on Haldir's face told about how incredible awkward he felt. She shook her head and stepped up into the cart and sat on the bench seat. The elf sit beside her and they began to move. The cart pulled by a mule that was actually on good behavior.

As they rolled through Tent Town Haldir made a confession. "The cart was my idea. The pretentiousness is Brands."

Kal began to chuckle. "He is trying to impress me."

"Very much so."