Hey all, we're back with Caladwen today. Nothing really much for me to say at this point, except thank you for all your support xx

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GodShynin300 – I'm so happy for them too!

Joining the Company

That afternoon, Thorin and I stayed in my room as we talked. We talked about what we had done, where we had been, he'd asked about the scars on my face and neck, I just told him I got into a fight with a Warg, which technically was true. I just wasn't going to tell him the full story. I didn't want him to go hunting for the Pale Orc and getting killed.

We talked about his time in the Blue Mountains, how he had provided a safe place for the dwarves to live once more. I could not be anymore prouder of him. He also told me about how Dis had married, but unfortunately, had lost her husband while fighting off some orcs not far from their settlement. I was grieved by this. Dis was, is, my best friend, I could imagine the heart ache she must have felt at losing her One. I may have just got mine back, but she wouldn't. . .oh, how I wish I could be there and just hold her.

As we held each others hands, talk turned to our relationship.

"I've changed, Thorin. I'm not the same elleth I used to be over a century ago."

He nods. "I could say the same. I'm no longer the same dwarrow I was when we first met. Hardships have affected the both of us. However, I'd still like to think there's still a chance for us. . .a second chance."

As he says this, he gently tugs on my courtship and engagement braids. I smile as I reach up and do the same to the braids I weaved into his own hair.

"So do I. We have still kept our braids, even after everything that has happened. But, we may have to take this slow, relearn things about each other again."

Thorin smiles as he takes my right hand in his own, I look down and smile as I see the same silver band on his right index finger as to the one I wear.

"I would say it is too late for me to court you again, being as we are betrothed, but if you will allow me, I will do so until we are ready to marry."

I smile at him as I lace my fingers with his own. "I would like that very much, meleth nîn."

He smiles as he gently places a hand to my neck, leans down and softly presses his lips upon my own. I close my eyes and sigh as I kiss him back, feeling my whole being just melt away. By the Valar. . .I did not realise just how much I missed this dwarf until today. Just seeing him in the flesh and seeing the love in his eyes was one thing, but this. . .his kisses were like nothing else I had ever felt. I didn't even mind the tickling of his beard and moustache as they brush across my upper lip and chin. In fact, I love it, like I love just about everything of this dwarrow.

Thorin pulls away, far too soon for my liking. I hear him chuckle as I whimper slightly at the loss of warmth from his lips. He places his forehead against mine.

"I am afraid my patience isn't what it was, ghivashel. After almost two centuries apart, I do not want to risk losing control and doing something we would regret."

I just smile as I lean in to place a loving kiss on his lips, a hand going to his cheek. "Thorin, I should say that, I would never regret doing anything of the sort with you. Never. But, I do agree that we should be careful. Although, my patience is also not what it used to be. I am afraid you will need to be strong for the both of us."

He smiles a full smile, one that allows me to see the whites of his teeth through his beard. "I believe I am capable of doing so."

He kisses me once more before pulling away, looking out over my balcony. Looking to my window, I see the sun beginning to make it's decent in the sky. I didn't realise we had spent the full day in my room talking, missing out on lunch completely.

"I didn't realise it had gotten so late. I hope I haven't kept you from your friends for too long."

He shakes his head. "No they understand."

Nodding, I stand and stretch my back. "It must be getting close to dinner."

I hear him sigh as he stands. "Yes, it must be."

I have to withhold a giggle at his sigh. "I had heard about last night. I believe you and the others will find tonight's dinner more to your tastes."

He raises a brow as he looks to me. "What did you do?"

"Oh, nothing. A friend of mine, who was at the dinner, heard your dwarves complaining about the lack of meat. I simply went to the kitchens last night and asked them to prepare some meat for you, and a lot of it."

He nods, a thankful smile appearing on his face as he takes my hand. "Will you be joining us for dinner? I know Balin and Dwalin will be happy to see you again."

I smile at this, knowing that I am just as excited to see them. "A pack of Wargs couldn't stop me."

He grins as we leave my room, hand in hand and walk along the corridor. As we get nearer to the balcony where dinner is prepared, I smile wide as I can hear the dwarves loud chattering. Although I am excited, I can feel the butterflies in my stomach as seeing my old friends again.

As we turn the corner, I smile as we see the dwarves and the hobbit sitting at the table, chatting among themselves, happy to be served meat. Balin, who is facing us, is the first to see us as we climb up the short stair case. His eyes go wide as he gasps loudly, causing the others to stop what they're doing to look at him.

"Caladwen?" he breathes out.

I smile at him. "Hello, old friend."

He stands and quickly makes his way over, taking me into his arms. I smile as I hold him close. I had missed my dwarves so much, I never realised just how much until now.

"Oh, Caladwen, it lightens my heart to see you again." Balin says as he pulls away with a smile. "I am so relieved you are well."

I smile back. "As well as I can be at least."

I then look up as Dwalin makes his way over, a stern look on his face. I stand straight, bringing myself to my full height, which thanks to my stunted growth, puts us head to head. He just looks to me in silence for a moment, as if looking me over, before suddenly grinning and patting my back hard enough to make me stumble and wince slightly.

"That's one thing I haven't missed." I mumble as I stretch out my back.

Dwalin just laughs. "It's good to see you again, lass."

I grin at my dwarf brother as we take each other's arms. "As it is to see you, too."

Thorin, while smiling, pulls me away to introduce me to the rest of his company. First is the hobbit by the name of Bilbo Baggins. Who has light brown curls and wears a white shirt, grey vest, brown pants and a red coat.

Second there's the brothers; Dori, Nori and Ori. Dori having grey hair and beard with intricate braids, Nori has red hair which is braided into three separate points on the top of his head, his beard braided into three and even his eyebrows are braided into his hair. Ori, bring the youngest has got a short beard, but still long enough to braid. His hair is also red like his older brother.

Then there's Oin and Gloin; Oin being the oldest with grey hair and a beard, which is braided in two and loops over at the end. I also notice him holding a golden trumpet to his ear, so I gather he is either fully deaf or almost. Next to him is a dwarf with long red hair and a long red beard, which have a few beards.

Next are the brothers Bofur and Bombur along with their cousin Bifur. Bofur, the one I recognise dancing on the pedestal last night, still wearing his floppy hat atop his dark hair which is braided into two on either side of his head, a curled moustache and a short beard which covers the center of his chin. His brother, Bombur – a rather rotund dwarf - has red hair with a bald patch in the middle and also long enough to put into a thick, looping braid, which reaches to his stomach. Bifur has salt and pepper hair and beard, his hair looking wild and his beard being braided. I also see part of an axe head stuck in his forehead.

I smile at them all before Thorin walks over to the last two to be introduced. I notice both of them having big grins on their faces, their eyes full of excitement, for what I have no idea. I can tell they're brothers, one of them having blond hair with a couple of braids on either side of his head, a short beard, just shorter than Thorin's and his moustache braided and hanging on either side of his lips. The other with brown hair, void of braids and a stubble on his chin.

As I'm looking over them both, I can see something familiar about the both of them, but I can't put my finger on why that is. . .until Thorin talks that is.

"Caladwen, these are Fili and Kili, my nephews."

I stop at this as I look to him in shock. He certainly didn't mention this when we were talking earlier. "N-Nephews? Dis's boys?"

Fili is the one to answer as he nods, "That's right. Amad and uncle have told us so much about you, Caladwen. It's so good to finally meet you."

He then surprises me by walking over and pulling me into an embrace. I pause for a second before wrapping my arms around him, holding him close. Looking over his shoulder, I see Thorin smiling in pride. Fili soon pulls away, only for Kili to pull me into him this time. I just smile as I hold him close also. Pulling away, I look them both over, now realising why they look so familiar.

"Look at you two. . .you look so much like your mother and uncles. . .I imagine you both caused quite a lot of mischief in your younger days."

One of the dwarves, Bofur, laughs at this. "Younger days? They still cause mischief even now, lass."

After that, we all settle down at the table to eat as the dwarves tell stories on all the trouble the brothers got into in Ered Luin, which has me laughing harder than I have in years. Trust dwarves to be the ones to put a smile on my face.

When we've eaten, they invite me to their terrace, to which I accept. We all sit around to talk and I get to know some things about each and every member, (with the exception or Thorin, Balin and Dwalin since I already know a lot about them already).

Gloin is the treasurer of the dwarves, Oin is the healer – who I make a mental note to talk to later – Dori is the mother hen of the group, always mothering the younger ones, especially his little brother, Ori. Nori was a thief in the Blue Mountains, this makes me keep a close eye on him, just in case. Ori is a scribe, who has come on whatever hjourney they are on to write a log about it for future generations. In the Ur family; Bofur is the more jovial one, which I already gathered from the night before, and is a miner by trade, Bifur is the toymaker and Bombur the cook. As for Fili and Kili, I had already pinned those two as troublemakers from what I heard during dinner.

I also managed to find time to talk with Bilbo and found him to be a pleasant fellow to talk to. He told me of him home in the Shire and how he was a respectable hobbit, although he is sure that won't be true for much longer since coming on this journey. He also told me, out of earshot of the others, that he has no idea what he's doing here, he doesn't even know how to fight! After looking over his little sword, I made a vow to myself that I would do everything I can to make him feel as though he has a purpose, make sure that he learns how to defend himself while he's here.

As everyone begins to wind down for the night, I take this time to ask something that had been on my mind ever since I first saw the dwarves.

"I have to ask, what are dwarves such as yourselves doing in an elven city in the first place?"

I instantly become suspicious as everyone goes quiet and turns to Thorin. Looking to the dwarf next to me, he sighs before looking to me after making sure there isn't anyone else around.

"We're on a quest to retake Erebor."

That was a bad time to start nibbling on some fruit as I inhale and the bit of strawberry I had eaten shot straight to the back of my throat, making me cough and choke. The others start to worry as Thorin proceeds to thump my back, which works as I manage to swallow the fruit.

"You alright, lassie?" Balin asks after passing me a cup of water.

I nod as I drink the water before turning to Thorin, eyes wide. "Did I hear right? You're planning to what?"

Thorin nods. "Retake Erebor. It's the right time. I know you might think it is a stupid and foolish thing for us to do, but this is something I have to do."

"You're right, I do think it is a stupid and foolish thing to do, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop you. Erebor is your home, it's about time dwarves lived in it once again."

I see Thorin give me a thankful smile, relief shining in his eyes. The others give off different expressions of relief also.

"You'll come with us, won't you Cal?" Kili asks.

Looking in his direction, I see him and his brother looking to me with hopeful eyes. The other's also look to me, all of them wondering whether I would stay with them. Catching Thorin's gaze, my heart hitches slightly at the intensity in his, as if he's almost pleading for me to join them. I just smile, as if I could refuse.

"Like I would stay here and watch my favourite dwarves walk away."

This causes the dwarves to cheer, Thorin wrapping an arm around me and placing a kiss upon my head. I just smile as Balin immediately begins to write up a new contract for me. Before the night is over and he mase made amendmants to the other contracts, I sign my own. Balin smiles and gives me a wink as he checks my signature over.

"Welcome, Caladwen, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

Yay! Caladwen is now a part of the company! I'm so happy to have finally gotten to this point in the story at last! I hope you enjoyed this! Please keep all your lovely reviews coming and I'll see you again next week xx

Translations:

Elleth – female elf

Meleth nîn – My love

Ghivashel – Treasure of all treasures

Amad - Mother