Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien

Chapter Six

The Journey Ahead

The grime of sweat and exhaustion coated her skin like a winter coat. Her skin buzzed and her tightened muscles itched under her soaked skin. Her nostrils flared as she pressed herself to breathe. Claudia tightened her grip on the long oak staff in her hand, tucking the length into her ribs calculating her opponent's next moves. Weighing back and forth on the balls of her she prepared herself for her sister's attack. The curve of her sister's saber raced toward in one swift movement. Flipping out the length of the staff from under her arm, stopping Odette's swing. Gritting her teeth, a groan slipped from Claudia's lips as she fought to keep Odette in her spot. Calm blue eyes stared into Claudia's grey ones.

"Going to give up yet?" Odette hissed at Claudia. Claudia narrowed her eyes, ignoring her sister's snide comment. With the little strength she could muster, Claudia leaned into the tension the sisters had created between them. Shifting her weight to her back leg that was planted into the dirt arena, her front foot came off the ground swifting kicking Odette's weak stance. Snatching away her staff, and kneeling to the ground, Odette toppled over her landing with a painful thump. Scrambling to her feet, Claudia stood over her sister's body pressing the blunt end of her staff into Odette's chest with a smile.

"Give up yet?" Claudia teased.

Odette grumbled, bumping her head into the compact dirt. With victory in hand, Claudia looked away from her sister to the observation deck, where her Ama, Dwalin, and a proud looking Brand stood. "It seems little sister has lost her touch, Mister Dwalin. Perhaps you can work with her while I am away." A grin pulled at her lips.

"Perhaps, Claudia… or perhaps you should always keep your focus." Dwalin nodded back to Odette's body. Claudia looked down in horror, feeling the dull point of Odette's blade pressing into her stomach. A viciously clever smile grew on her little sister's lips, "I win." Proclaimed Odette.

Claudia swiped away her staff, anger burning inside her.

"That wasn't fair! The fight was over." Claudia demanded.

"You are going into the world, they will not play fair." A voice called from behind her. Claudia turned to find her mother walking down from the observation level followed by both Dwalin and Brand. "An orc will not care if they are playing fair, they will strike without a care if you are paying attention or not." Magdalen continued.

Claudia felt her jaw tighten as she willed herself not to lash her tongue. "You must stay focused, your life might depend on it." Claudia dropped her gaze, her knuckles tightening at her mother's words.

"Good match, my girls," Dwalin said, helping Odette to her feet. "Claudia, your' Ama is right, keep practicing on the road. I will instruct Dag on what you should work on during your time away." Claudia nodded, the slow drip of adrenaline leaving her body leaving her old and tired.

"You are both dismissed." The sister's bowed to Dwalin, turning to re-rack their practice weapons.

"It was a lucky shot, that's all," Claudia mumbled to Odette.

Odette tilted her head, her strawberry hair falling over her shoulder. "Or you are just an unworthy opponent," Odette suggested slyly, wiping the balde clean.

Claudia rolled her eyes, the frustration biting at her heels. Before she could speak again two arms snaked around Claudia's middle. Her sweaty back flushing against a solid front. The brief kiss of lips touched her head. It was Odette's turn to roll her eyes as she turned to walk away. "That was a good fight, my dear." Brand spoke over her head.

Claudia pressed a smile, turning in his arms to find the wonderful smiling face of Brand looking down at her. "It was not, but thank you." She said, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

A smile appeared on his face, "Cheer up, it was just a practice." He pressed another kiss, this time into her forehead. Claudia pulled away from his touch "It's okay you're not the best, so what. Your sister's just a natural with the blade."

Claudia paused, glaring at the well meaning man. Brand simply smiled at her, his hands capturing her shoulders. " I just mean your talents lay elsewhere." Claudia sighed, settling up the rest of her things.

"Thanks for your ever faithful words of encouragement," Claudia muttered mostly to the wall. Brand continued on his little diatribe, trying to make Claudia feel better to little avail but Claudia simply ignored him.

"My lady," A voice finally quieted Brand's words. Claudia turned to find Dag standing stiff behind them. A small smile of relief played at her lips. "Your father requests your princess. You need to check the provisions before you leave tomorrow." Claudia bowed her head.

"I will speak with you later Brand. I must go to Da." She placed a hand over his heart, quickly making her escape. The heavy gaze of her mother followed Claudia as she made her way out of the training arena, but she made no effort to meet her mother's eyes.

The princess and her guard walked in silence for a long while. They walked past the grand hall and the library, down deeper into the mountain's belly. Taking dark passage easy, and climbing where no sensible dwarf would climb, they found the spot where they spent much of their childhood. The roof of the Sweet Duck bakery sat highest on the path that led to the marketing district. She and Alma had discovered the spot after being chased through the mountain by Dwalin after he found them coloring on the walls outside of his office. It had become a spot of peace for her and her friends. It was a place where she and Theo could go without the heavy eyes of guards following their every move.

The sole of her boot dangled over the busy streets of the greater market. Leaning against the cool stone, Claudia watched the people below with great interest. She wondered what it was like to live among them, truly. Claudia was born into a place of great privilege, and she was fully aware of this fact. She was also aware of the great responsibility that came with her position. She was the next generation of the Durin line, everything she did would leave a mark on their legacy, good or bad.

She glanced back at Dag as he inspected the tip of his dagger. He hadn't spoken a word to her after he helped her escape. His silence was deafening. As far as she was aware Dag had no strong feelings toward Brand. But she could still see the look of disdain on his face after she had rejected the first prospal from Brand. "You think me an awful person," Claudia concluded aloud.

Dag snorted, flipping the knife in his enormous hand. "I said no such thing, nor would I ever say such a thing, my princess." He said without missing a beat.

Claudia glared at the young dwarf. "But you were thinking it…"

Dag sighed seething the dagger in his side belt."I did not know you could read minds, Claudia. Who taught you that? Balin, perhaps Master Ori."

Claudia did not speak, her eyes trained on Dag. Awaiting a real answer from her friend. Dag looped his thumb through his belt, leaning back against the wall of stone behind him. "As your guard, you shouldn't worry what I think of you," he pointed out.

Claudia shook her head. "You may be my guard, but you were my friend first. As my friend, tell me the truth," her tone wandered into the territory of an order," do you think I should marry Brand and forget Rivendell."

Dag ran his hand over the length of his bread. "In all of the time I've known you, I have come to know two things." He began.

"One, you are stubborn and pigheaded. You get in your mind that things should go a certain way, and when they do not you don't deal with change very well. Your stubbornness has led you astray more than once. You are led by your heart, not your not. And two, you need the confidence of others to ensure your choices."

Claudia bit the inside of her cheek hating how well Dag had pinned her flaws to her. "Your point…"

"My point is that you have doubts in your heart, and you are looking for someone to direct you one way or another."

Claudia looked away from his knowing glare. He continued, "you wish to be independent, but you still look to others. You can't rely on others your whole life, Dia. I think going out into the world will be good for you."

Claudia did not speak again. The words of Dag hung in her mind. She could not deny the doubt in her heart. And she could not deny the calling of indepence any longer.

Blood ran down black stone like a river, gushing and ever flowing. The screams of people rang in her ears. The glow of furious fire illuminated a small dagger in her hands, the hilt was black as the stone that surrounded her. Strange marks that left her sick colored the sides of the hilt in dull silver. Someone called out to her, and for a brief moment, she saw green eyes, horrified and saddened, crying. Her knee gave out beneath her and the dagger clatter on stone. Soft voices chanted something like a spell.

Unworthy…

Shameful…

Nothing…

The words called to her over, and over again.

"Claudia." Her eyes blinked finding the concerned face of Brand in front of her. The clouds cleared from her eyes as her mind settled back into her reality. "Are you alright," his hand settled on her arm. Thunderous applause rang out from the hall in which they stood. Just over his shoulder, she could see Rowan preparing herself for their Da to call out their name. The light squeeze of Brand's hand brought her back to his eyes. She smiled, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek.

"I'm fine." She reassured him.

Another round of applause caught her attention as Rowan beckoned her over. Brand bent down placing a kiss on her high cheek. She blessed him with another smile, marching up to meet her sister. Rowan stared ahead, slight fear racing through her eyes. Claudia reached down taking her sister's hand into her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. Blue eyes found her grey ones. A thin line pressed into Rowan's lips.

"I'm glad to have you by my side," Rowan reassured her again.

Claudia said nothing, simply nodding her head. Both sisters stood tall, hand in hand they walked the pathway to the throne where their family stood proudly. Their Da stood proudly in front of them, the raven crown sat atop of his blonde locks. "It is with my deepest pleasure that I send my daughters, Crowned Princess Rowan and Princess Claudia, as representatives on the Rivendell Council." Cheers erupted as both daughters came to stand at their Da's side.

"You both will serve Erebor well!" Fili bellowed a prideful grin growing across his face.

"Hail Princess Rowan! Hail Princess Claudia!" The crowd chanted, Fili raised his daughter's arms in the air. He beamed at Claudia. She looked out at the crowd of faces, their voices fell silent in her ear as a high ringing took over.

A small company of guards and the royal family stood in the stable just before the gates that led into the lush valley of Girion. The family quietly prepared their goodbyes. The sisters had never been gone from their home longer than a week or two. The journey to Rivendell would take them two months, give or take the weather ahead of them. The idea of escaping the ever judging eyes of dwarves both thrilled and terrified Claudia. Though she could not decipher which she felt more of. Thorin had spoken to her in stern and hushed tones, reminding her of her training. She could see the worry weaving in his eyes. He stood there for a moment taking in the sight of his great-niece before covering her in a tight hug, placing a soft kiss on her head. He whispered a prayer into her hair before letting her go. Reluctantly he moved to Rowan who stood with their aunt, Tauriel.

"Don't go get yourself killed," an annoyingly familiar voice called behind her. She turned to find Odette leaning against her ram, arms crossed. "I can't stand the idea of being second in line, I'm very comfortable being far from the throne." Odette insisted, studying her nails. Claudia smiled tackling Odette into a hug. Instead of resisting and squirm- like Odette normally did- she laid into the embrace, digging her face into Claudia's shoulder.

"Please be careful."

'I will." Claudia whispered into Odette's hair.

Odette looked back to where their parents were speaking with Rowan. "They are going to suffocate me while you guys are gone. They will be crying all night now." She complained, withdrawing from her sister's embrace.

Claudia laughed. "They will be fine, they have their baby home." She said, messing with Odette's hair.

Odette grumbled moving on to speak with Rowan. She paused, finding Lady Deamra and Lord Ori hugging their youngest, and only, daughter- Alma- as she too prepared a pony. Narrowing her eyes she saw that past Alma, Theodon also prepared a horse. She sighed, watching the pair say a final goodbye to their parents and approached her. Placing her hand on her hips Claudia tightened her lips.

"Where are you two going?" Claudia questioned though she had a feeling she already knew the answer.

"With you of course," Theo said plainly leaning forward on his horse's saddle.

"You can't go!" Claudia exclaimed.

"And why not. Last time I checked, dear cousin, you are not our boss." Theo stuck his tongue out at Claudia. Claudia mirrored Theodon. Behind Theo, Alma rolled her eyes at the pair.

"Your Da asked us to go, Claudia. Though it seems you don't want us to go." Alma pointed out.

"You can't seriously think we would let you and Rowan have all the fun could you?"

Claudia shook her head. "I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that. I'm just surprised that's all."

"It's okay, dear cousin. You can tell us in two months' time after we sleep on the dirt-hard ground and are so aggravated by hunger, how happy you are to have us to lift your spirits." Theo smiled kicking into his horse heading toward the mouth of the tunnel ahead.

Claudia sighed into her hands, turning to pack the rest of her things. Beside her ram stood Brand. A soft smile pulled at her lips as she walked toward the Dale Prince. With arms open wide to his love, he encircled her flushing his body against hers."I will meet you at the gates when you return. Nothing will change my feelings on the proposal. Take your time, have your adventure, you'll find in four months' time you are ready to become my queen." He said with such confidence that even made Claudia believe him for a moment. Her eyes slide from his face, unable to match his gaze.

He leaned into her pressing a kiss on her forehead. They would have time together still as he would escort them to the city of Dale. But unspoken words between the two lovers knew they would have less time alone. His clear eyes stared into her, and in them, a truth was spoken. The truth of love and hope for a future that Claudia wasn't yet ready to accept. A voice cleared behind them, Claudia snapped to the voice finding her mother. Brand released her hands, scratching his neck a light blush touching his skin.

"I'll leave you to it then." He turned to approach his horse, which towered over most of the company's ponies and rams.

Claudia's arms wrapped around themselves watching Brand walk away.

"You should not lead the boy on, if you don't love him." Magdalen offered stepping toward her daughter. Claudia's eyes snapped to Magdalen, her eyes narrowing at her mother. She hadn't spoken to her since their small exchange the previous day. Claudia turned her back to her mother, working on her already perfect saddle.

"Claudia, I'm speaking to you." Magdalen voiced her annoyance. Still Claudia ignored her.

"One minute you are head over heels for Brand, then when he gives you what you want you run away. Claudia, you must see that it hurts him as well."

Tears burned in Claudia's eyes. "I just don't understand you."

Something inside of Claudia snapped.

"You won't, would you? Weren't you the one who said only a few days ago, that you would support me no matter what I chose? Or were you only referring to my martial choices?"

Magdalen closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. "I was only trying to say that I was afraid that you made the rash decision to run instead of facing Brand. Don't leave the poor boy worrying for months wondering whether you love him or not. I'm afraid for you, Claudia."

Claudia paused spinning on her heels to face her Ama."And what have you ever been afraid of, Ama? You are perfect, Odette and Rowan are perfect. I understand I'm the messed up one here. I am the shame of the Royal family. Believe me, I have made my peace with that for a long time." Claudia spat stalking away to her ram, Kelis.

"Claudia that is enough!" Magdalen raced after her daughter. More than one person was halted by the scene of the mother and daughter fighting.

"It's not enough, Ama. Say what you really think. Telling me what everyone here is thinking. That I am the disappointment, that I am the failer among the Durin line." Claudia spat.

Clear silver eyes stared at the second-born princess in disbelief.

"You cannot believe that, Claudia."

"How can I not?" Magdalen sighed, rubbing her forehead, "I did not come here to fight you. I came to give you this," Magdalen reached for Claudia's hand, slipping a small something into her palm.

Claudia closed her palm tightly, not speaking to her Ama.

"I hope it can guide you, like it guided me. And I hope you find whatever you're looking for... I love you, Claudia." Without another word Magdalen bowed her head turning to approach Rowan.

Opening her palm, Claudia found a silver necklace. Among the lay of the silver chain was a shining emerald, set against knotted metal. It was her Ama's most prized possession, she had from her life before the mountain. Her palm closed around the necklace, reaching up to add the necklace to her. Her finger lingered on the stone of her great-grandfather. Briefly, she glanced back at her Ama, feeling the phantoms of guilty nag at her. Ahead she heard a guard call for them to move out. Straightening her back, Claudia rode ahead. There would be no time to linger on thoughts of guilt on the journey ahead.

Claudia sat on Kelis her eyes set on the horizon.

Off to Rivendell, we go! Poor Claudia, we all say things we don't mean sometimes... What's the cost of independence if you don't hurt a few people along the way. Guess we will find out. Until next time dear reader.