Woo! Finally! I know it's been soooooooooooooo long since getting this chapter out! But I've been having major writers block with this. It's like, my brain knew what I wanted to write, but I couldn't get it all out in words. Originally, there were going to be a few chapters, each one about Caladwen's time in Erebor and such, not just a straight skip. But, unfortunately, this is what I've had to do. I hope you all still like it, even though it is shorter than my usual chapters. Also, I'm going to be changing this story to True Love Conquers All again, as I like tha title better than the one I have at the moment.

Also, the previous chapter has been edited, so please reread that before continuing with this one!

Review responses;

Dragonett8 – Of course! I'm not going to be stopping this! I have too many plans to happen! And thank you!

Five Years

For the rest of the month, the time spent under the mountain seemed to fly by. I spent most of my time with Tauriel as we took walks through the halls and taking trips to the markets. Some of these visits we offer to take Dis with us, who always got excited whenever we would offer. Dis is such a sweet child, always smiling, laughing and talking our ears off, but we enjoy the time we spend with her. When we're not walking, we train with the other dwarves, who have come to respect us as warriors. I also took some time to spend with my father when he isn't busy with the King, most of the time we are in our quarters either reading, talking or facing each other in a game of chess.

Thorin had even taken me to visit the city of Dale, where I met with Lord Girion, who was the King for Dale. He was a very pleasant man and had taken time out of his busy schedule to talk with me about his city.

A few days into the stay, father allowed me to go on a hunting trip with Thorin, Frerin and Dwalin. Tauriel and one of our guards, Beinion, came with us and we spent a good few days out in the wilderness. It was the first time being away from home without my father being there, and I had such a good time with the dwarves, although I was still really nervous about us being out there.

I wasn't ignorant to the dangers of what could be out there waiting. After hearing the story of how my mother was captured, it had admittedly put a small dent into the dream of wandering away from home and visiting other lands, but that dream would never diminish. Part of that dream came true when I came to Erebor, which is something I will always be grateful to my father for.

During this trip, I had helped to bring back a couple of deers, a few rabbits and pheasants, a feat I was proud of, especially when I made my first kill, something I couldn't wait to tell Legolas about. When we would rest for the night, we would camp under the stars and spend this time to get to know each other more. I had learnt that the two dwarven guards that came with us; Borun and Burun are father and son, Borun being the father. He and his wife also have a daughter called Ingrid.

It wasn't until later into the stay that I realised something that scared me a little, I started developing strong feelings for the young Prince of Erebor. I knew there was an attraction there when I first laid eyes on him, but as time progressed, and we spent more time together getting to know more about each other, the more the attraction for him grew. Although, not knowing on his feelings for me, if any, I pushed aside any chance of anything happening between us. I'm happy to keep him as my friend, and I don't want anything to jeopardise that.

The day soon came for our departure from the Lonely Mountain. A sad time for me as, if I'm honest with myself, I don't want to leave. I had such a good time and made some new friends. Once our belongings are packed and attached to the horses/elk, my father, Tauriel, the guards and I are standing at the gates, the family of Durin seeing us off.

"Thank you for allowing us to stay with you, King Thror." My father says to Thror with a bow of his head.

Thror smiles. "Not at all, my friend, it was pleasure. As was meeting your daughter." he turns his smile to me. "You, my dear, are welcome in Erebor anytime. It has certainly been a delight to have you."

I smile as I bow. "Thank you, My Lord, I really enjoyed my time in your home and look forward to my next visit."

His smile widens. "And we look forward to it too. May you all have a safe journey."

We bow to the dwarf King and turn to our mounts.

"Cal! Cal, wait!"

Turning at the voice, I smile as I see Dis running towards the gates, Frerin behind her. I kneel down as she runs past her family and catch her in my arms before she falls.

"Be careful, my friend, you don't want to hurt yourself."

"She didn't want Caladwen to leave without saying goodbye." Frerin explains to his father after seeing his curious expression.

"Will you come back and see us again?" Dis asks as she looks up at me.

I smile as I brush a strand of hair from her face. "Of course I will. I fear you will soon be tired of seeing me."

She giggles as she shakes her head. "Never. Here I made this for you."

She holds her hands out to show a thick, black piece of string threaded through several different coloured beads.

"Oh Dis, it's beautiful. Thank you."

She grins. "It's a friendship bracelet, look!" she holds out her left wrist to show the one she already wears. "So we'll always be friends no matter what."

I smile as I slide it onto my wrist. "I don't need a bracelet for us to be friends, but I will treasure this."

She smiles as she embraces me tightly. I hold her just as close.

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

We soon pull apart and she runs to Thorin who picks her up. I smile at the dwarven prince, bowing my head slightly before turning back to my horse and mounting her. We say our goodbyes once more and ride off towards Greenwood. Looking down, I smile as I see the bracelet. No one but my family have Tauriel have ever been that nice and thoughtful to give me a gift such as this. Due to my unnatural lack of height, the other elves at home would avoid me, but yet, just a month in Erebor and I have more friends there than I ever would in Greenwood.

Smiling, I turn my head towards the mountain and see Thorin and Dis still standing at the entrance, the other males having retreated inside. I lift a hand in farewell and turn back as I see them both wave back.

'Don't worry Dis, I'll be back soon, I promise.'

The next five years go by in such a blur, it feels as though my first visit to the mountain was only a year before. But, during that time, so many things happened. I was invited for Durin's Day, which is the dwarves New Year, here I met Dain son of Nain of the Iron Hills. He was an extremely loud dwarf, but still as king and as welcoming as the dwarves of Erebor. We bonded over a training session, in which after an hour or so, we called it a draw. He nearly sent me to the floor after clapping me on the back, but said he was impressed by my strength and skill.

I grew closer and closer to the Durin family, especially to Thorin, both of us spending as much time together as we could. Whether that was walking through the markets, or even he taking me to the forges and teaching me to forge – I'm not ashamed to admit at my pleading.

Two and a half years after my first visit to the mountain is when my life changed and my dreams became reality. Thorin had asked me to court him! I was in so much shock that I had to ask twice what he said, but he still asked me to court him. I was so happy that night. After eagerly accepting, he placed a courtship braid into my hair, holding it together with one of his beads which had the emblem of his house engraved into it. After telling him I had no such bead to offer him, he promised to take me to the forge to help me create my own, which I did, having a green leaf engraved into it to represent Greenwood.

Both of our families were happy, though I could tell my father was begrudgingly happy, whether it was because I was courting a dwarf or his little girl was growing up, I didn't know. But, Thorin and I agreed to court for a year before we would marry.

Neither of us realised at the time, that a year later, events would occur that would put a large strain on that courtship, one that could have been the end.

And there it is! Next is the arrival of Smaug! Please R&R and stay tuned for the next chapter!