The special forces operative nicknamed 'Jonesy' was actually named Fernando Garcia. He watched her with a subtle smile that stemmed from bemusement rather than familiarity.

"You know, you have your mother's face shape and her eyes, but everything else is your father."

"How do you know my mother?" Shobha raised her eyebrows, unable to contain her surprise. This man didn't look old enough to have known her parents that long.

"I'm a little older than you think kid. I was one of the newbies your dad trained. And then he saved my skin a few times! So I knew him before they had your sister and then you… and your ma worked for the ministry while she trained to become a teacher, so I met her a couple of times. Think she quit after your sister was born. We all had an operation down in Cairo in the seventies, it ran for a year, before your dad got us all extracted safely." He ran his hand through his dark hair, as he took a swig from his beer. "Bloody lucky too if you ask me. Our hotel was bombed the week after: Insurgence group."

"Wait! My mum was a spy? My mum?" She always had her suspicions about her father's role in the ministry, although figured he no longer worked in the field, but she just couldn't imagine her mother as a spy!

Fernando merely shrugged his shoulders and took another long sip, a smile slowly forming on his face as he realised how this news secretly thrilled the young woman.

"So what's up with Lord Thorin's goon following you?" He gestured subtly with his eyes at Athol who sat on a far table reading a book, and nursing a coffee. The bodyguard really stuck out of the crowd, because of how broad and large he was in build, like all the other Ereboreans. It was funny how she had come to see it as normal, until now. No wonder they instantly spotted her as an outsider: she probably stood out immediately as an outsider when she was amongst the Ereboreans herself, besides the fact that she was probably the only person of an ethnic minority this side of Edinburgh!

"No reason in particular – just giving me a lift." She didn't want to tell Fernando that she had been attacked in her car, her room broken into or her abduction in the tunnels, in case any of it got back to her parents. There was no need to worry them. When she listed out every escapade, mentally, that she seemed to have experienced over the last few weeks, she couldn't help but wonder whether she had actually lost her sanity altogether. If this had been a year ago, she certainly would have packed it all in after she was attacked outside her own house a few months back!

"Haaaay! No way! I would say you were fully in with these guys. The Lord of Erebor has sent one of their own to protect you – their 'wee lass' – from us 'outsiders'!" He smiled again, this time there was almost a sense of pride there. "You're in honey. I have met the man himself once, many years ago. And I promise you, he really wants nothing to do with people from the outside. Most contact is on a needs-only basis, and they're pretty self sufficient. For everything else – they go through Dale. I mean we have been trying to get a visitors pass for decades now…"

"Yeah well, I am still an outsider there. So don't expect me to give away any secrets." She shook her head chuckling.

"I wish you were my field agent – but I doubt your father would approve." He held his hands up in mock surrender, his hazel eyes darting over to Athol again briefly, before settling back on her as he whispered. "But I bet one of them fancies you – who knows maybe even the man himself. I presume you've met him: all dark and brooding. I hear his two nephews are pretty hot too…?"

"Ok. Now I believe you know my mother. I am not planning on dating anyone just yet – this was just a temporary move. I haven't figured things out yet, and I'm buying some thinking time.. that's all." She answered without hesitation this time. As the sun shone through the window, she could now see the subtle little wrinkles over his face, a hint of how old he probably was, in truth. But he was still handsome, with strong spanish features, and olive skin, he was rather handsome. "Anyway, what exactly are you guys doing here so often? And really what's the deal with this place?"

"We run training for our special forces guys out here. Rugged terrain, hostile, changeable weather… you know it's pretty real stuff. You could say this is a first mini mission for a lot of guys –"

"No. I mean really, what is it exactly that you are trying to catch out here…? A werewolf?" She interrupted him from giving his clearly well-rehearsed speech.

"Werewolves?" He stared at her using a tone of surprise, which again made her suspicious.

"Look cut the crap, I have heard the howls. Is that what the MOD are trying to do? Catch a werewolf to study? Maybe even consider using as a soldier?" She stared back, letting him know she wasn't going to back down on this.

"You really are good: Trying to shake me down for answers, eh?" He laughed. "Ok, but this is between us. Our men get attacked as soon as we cross a certain territory line – at least that's what we think. Took us years to map the whole boundary. Problem is, there are two areas: one bordering the woods, and one around the Lonely Mountain. The attacks are very different each time – some maulings and some… well let's say the others are found exsanguinated. Either way we lose men. We've had people stay here, but it's not always ended well. To begin with it was an investigation because a former defence minister lost a kid out here – he came out shooting with a group of his Etonian privileged kids, and a whole bunch of them disappeared. No trace. And local police didn't want to know. So it began as a search and rescue, until all six field agents went missing. This was around seven years before I joined the team. Then we started investigating, and found the disappearances go way back. And the locals clearly know something, but keep their mouths shut. Of course, Erebor trades through Dale, so it's good for their coffers. Some of them talk about the old legends, as if it's history… but you know…"

"So have you seen one then…? A werewolf I mean?"

"Don't take this the wrong way but I tell you about disappearances and you accept its werewolves? And it doesn't scare you or surprise you… or anything like that…" he studied her carefully again. "I mean most people would think it was a serial killer rather than the supernatural."

"I did consider that… but I looked into it and the disappearances stem over decades. You wouldn't expect one man to sustain that. And there's no pattern to the killings. I'm no forensic psychologist but I thought serial killers have like a ritual." She wasn't not going to admit she had seen a werewolf first. And now she was convinced he had.

"And did you consider cult activity?"

"Again… no ritual… each different. Where's the sacrificial altar? Where's the process to appease the gods? Suddenly werewolves are more plausible." She glanced over her shoulder at Athol, wondering how much he was able to lip read. Surely he was there to keep an eye on her as much as protect her. She simply couldn't believe Thorin had sent him for any other reason. Particularly after he mentioned his distrust in those working for the MOD. "Well…? Did you see one then? There is clearly a reason you are interested in this area."

Fernando took a long look at her, his dark features slowly transitioning from suspicious to uncertain, before he took anything long swig of his beer and subtly scanned the room.

"What do you know about werewolves?"

"Humans who can transform into wolf like creatures. Happens during the full moon. Killed by silver bullets… that sort of thing you mean?" She thought back to her encounters and realised the traditional myths were too simplistic, but she couldn't admit to him that she had encountered a few wolves outside of the full moon. It was better to let him explain. "Come on. I know there's something going on - my father would probably want you to warn me, at least."

He set his beer down and brought his hands together, leaning his elbows on the table and covering his mouth. Unperturbed by his show of resistance, she gave him her best concerned look back – the sort she had practiced on all those family and friends who gave her a sympathy pep talk about looking to settle down quickly before her 'sell-by' date was past since her break up with Mike.

After a few moments he pulled away, leaning back in his seat with a sigh and a groan, shoulders slumped in defeat. The sort of look a father gave a daughter, when she pestered him for a completely frivolous purchase! It made her wonder whether he had children.

"This is for your ears only. The attacks are unrelated to the lunar cycle. And we are not sure whether they are from Erebor or the next set of mountains, which are even more remote, with another small mining town –"

"The Iron Hills."

"Yes, what do you know about them?"

"Nothing, but I have heard about them…"

"Met anyone from there? We believe Erebor has links, so it would make sense the people are related, and if they are indeed werewolves, then they hunt as two packs, because the territories are separated by a small strip of land. A ravine where we found a couple of our men found shelter when they were under attack. And from their accounts it sounded like they were defending their territories, and fighting each other." His eyes darted around the room from time to time. "And the silver thing is a load of crap. It doesn't work. Nor do tranq darts… just – do me a favour and be careful when you're out at night."

He ran his fingers through his hair again, clearly a nervous habit.

"So you've seen one?"

"Stop asking me what I can't talk to you about –" he shifted in his seat so she quickly changed the subject.

"Ok. Ok. Please just one more thing – please? Mirkwood… is it true there are vampires? I mean if werewolves are a thing…" she squeezed in.

"We sent in one recon group to the woods. Not a single member returned. And there was no trace either. It's dark in there. The canopy is thick, made of conifers so it remains dark throughout the year. Even on the brightest summer day it's almost pitch black in there. I mean we need nightvision goggles." He frowned at her. "What lives in there I can't say… now quit pumping me for information."

She laughed, glancing over her shoulder to where Athol sat. He clearly had fed her some partial truths – presumably on Thorin's request. The large bodyguard sat there innocently reading his book, as though he were here on his own and had little concern for who she spoke to or about what, convincing her now that he was fully interested in her business.

Then suddenly she noticed a man seated on a table farther back in the pub. He sat in rather a dark corner, and wore a leather jacket with a hoodie underneath, which he had up. It made it hard to see his face properly, but he certainly appeared to be staring at her, almost unblinkingly so.

"Before I forget, here: from your parents." Fernando interrupted her thoughts handing over a small package.

"Oh! How did you –"

"They sent it last week, before I knew when I could meet you anyway."

She opened the small cardboard box to find her favourite chocolates and sweets!

"Mmmm…. This is great. Why doesn't mail ever reach Erebor?" She frowned.

"I know. It's a pain isn't it? Royal Mail don't deliver up there. It really is a strict private estate effectively. Only visitors accepted by Lord Durin himself are permitted entry." He stated as though, he too had run into the same problem. "So how much contact do you have with them? –The Durins I mean."

Shobha found herself looking back at the far table again. The man still sat there silently. He had some sort of dark drink, akin to port, and despite making eye contact with her, stared right back continuously with pallid eyes!

"You're clearly in with them. The goon wouldn't be sent to protect you unless they considered you to be important to them." He waved his hand across her face to attract her attention again. "Hullo there?"

"Sorry…"

"What's up?" He shifted casually in his seat again, to look behind, where she had been staring.

"A man, in that corner who keeps –" but she stopped mid sentence as she noticed the table was now empty.

"Forget it. Sorry – the Durins? I guess, I meet them from time to time. Probably have had a handful of conversations with Lord Durins sister, but I guess that's about it…" she lied in case he attempted to extract information about them from her. After all they had only ever been nice to her, except Thorin. "She seems quite normal if you ask me, but I guess I don't know them well enough."

"So you've never met the big man himself?" He raised an eyebrow at her disbelievingly.

"Yeah, at the hospital and in town for like two minutes. But I would hardly call that conversation… " she shrugged her shoulders again. "Sorry, excuse me, I'm going to pop to the loo," she stood up and moved towards the back of the pub.

First she moved towards the back table where the man had sat. There was no sign of him, except his empty glass. There was a thick red residue remaining in the empty glass. Thicker than a full bodied red.

"Excuse me love." A waitress scurried up behind her, reaching over to collect the empty glass, and then looking at her. "Are ya alright, love?"

"Yes –"

"Loos are that way." She pointed automatically.

"The man who sat here… who was he?"

The woman looked back at her blankly.

"Dunno who you mean love."

"You're clearing his glass – who was seated there?"

"Why did he stand you up love."she shook her head sympathetically. "Ugh, men are such bastards."

"Don't worry." Shobha turned away heading for the toilets, weaving through the crowds before either Fernando or Athol would spot how long she had been gone for.

"Ugh!"

She looked up to find herself face to face with the man in black leather.

"Sorry Miss," he immediately bent down before she could catch sight of his face and as he stood up, he held a purse up. He was tall, and pale. But he had not only kept his hood on, he had pulled it down rather low obscuring his face from clear view, even then. "Is this yours?"

"Oh! Yes, thank you." She took her purse from his leather clad hands noticing it was partially open. So she quickly undid it and glanced in to find everything looked generally in tact. "…Have I met you before?"

But he had already disappeared, leaving her standing there.

"Excuse me." Someone bustled past her from behind into the toilets, making her almost drop her purse once more.

She looked at her purse thoughtfully again, and opened it, this time looking through carefully: all the money and credit cards were there, then as she looked through the other useless store and reward cards, she became aware that her drivers license was missing.

"Hey!" She shut her purse again and began to push past the various people standing and taking, weaving, ducking and squeezing through various gaps. She could see the leather jacket and hood ahead. "Hey! Wait!"

But he didn't stop, in fact he quickened his step.

As she followed him outside the pub, she found both Athol and Fernando had caught up with her.

"What's going on?" Fernando asked urgently.

"That man – who just left, he stole my purse!"

"What!" As Fernando looked around spotting the man disappearing down a narrow cobbled street, Athol had already set off in pursuit. "I will go the other way and see if we can cut him off!"

And with that he too had disappeared leaving her alone outside the pub.

She looked around, and walked towards the street that Athol had followed the man down, following at a brisk pace, but not running. Instead she carefully looked around, in case he had dropped it somewhere in his attempt to escape. What could he possibly want with it anyway?

This narrow cobbled street led out onto a larger road, with a few sleepy restaurants and shops, which were now either closed, or begin shut. A quick glance at her watch revealed it was almost five. There was still ample daylight, but no sign of either the man nor the other two. Crossing the road she noticed a narrow passageway leading off to what she imagined were the back entrances of shops. Standing at the top of the passage she peered in, and then began to walk down it. All the doors leading into the passageway were shut, as she reached what looked like a dead end, the passageway turned into a sharp right and widened into a larger space, where there was a set of large bins and a locked gate, big enough for deliveries.

As she stepped over towards the gate, one of the large dumpsters rolled out towards her and the man rushed out towards her, only to climb over the gate and run off into the square.

There was no way she could climb over the way he did, almost like a feral creature. Even if she did follow, she was not entirely convinced this man was human, and that pursuing him wouldn't bring her to mischief or worse. For once she would leave this one alone.

She had walked back to the Dragons head where she found Athol and Fernando standing there looking very annoyed.

"Where did you go?!" Athol asked angrily.

"You're a fat lot of good at your job. I thought you were meant to be protecting her?" Fernando barked back in return.

"It's not like you were running after him? Were ya?!"

"I don't see any results from your act-first-think-last strategy though," Fernando snapped turning to look at Shobha and scan her top to toe. "You didn't chase him did you?"

She shook her head. There was no need to tell them anything more.

"You have your purse in your hands?" Athol pointed looking annoyed.

"That man stole my drivers license." She explained, unzipping her purse and checking again. "He pretended to bump into me and then handed my purse back without it."

"What? Are you sure? You may have left it in your car or somewhere else?" Athol asked irritated. "It would be pretty stupid if we chased this man half way around Dale when you have just been absentminded –"

"I am certain. I never take my license out. I don't need to."

"Why on earth would a petty criminal steal your drivers license?" Athol scowled at her as though she were mad.

"Actually they fetch good money on the black market." Fernando explained.

"I think you should search for it everywhere else first before you conclude that." Athol rolled his eyes. "Now I think it's time to leave, Miss."

"Here, kid." He returned the small package of sweets her parents had sent, which she'd left on the table before all this. "If you ever need anything - here's my card. I know mobile phones don't work up here, so my landline is on there."

He pushed his card into her free hand before she could protest. She already had all these details – And it wasn't what she expected. But she put his card in her pocket anyway and nodded.

"Miss." Athol remained gesturing to head back towards where they were parkedWalking back, she was lost in thought over the stranger that had accosted her. While it had felt scary at the time, she could only conclude that if he had wanted to kill her, he had ample opportunity to have done so in that alleyway!

So what did he want? And why only steal her license?

Her mind spun with what she had heard so far. Werewolves existed, in some form or other. She herself had seen at least two with her own eyes! And she was pretty certain Fernando had seen one too, from the way he spoke of it. But were they the people of Erebor, or Iron Hills that transformed? Or was there some sort of separate group of creature that had been bred and kept in those tunnels to guard the jewels and other riches in the mines? Either way the beast she had come across, could speak, and had even carried her inside her house - or so she imagined.

Despite all that she had seen there, it was still hard to fathom there were real vampires. Living in Mirkwood, of all places! Surely if they fed on humans, they would need to live near big cities or towns...? Or maybe even a local blood bank?! She chuckled to herself at that last thought.

They had taken the route back to the car passing the old stone church on the boundary of town. Casting a glance over, she was drawn in by the lights turned on inside!

"Hey - someone's in!" She moved towards the gate, beckoning for Athol to follow. But he simply stood on the pavement watching her with an annoyed look on his face. "Come on!"

"Ugh! We dont have time for this..." he groused.

"Come on! Its only six, we still have two hours before sunset!" She walked over to the gate and turned back towards him, pouting. "Please..."

"I thought you werent even Christian?!" He complained again.

"No. But its pretty, and quiet - great to sit and think... and they have all those old frescoes..."

"Faery stories." Athol groaned, turning away.

"Come -on! You guys dont show me anything in Erebor... its like a secret society!" She complained back.

"I told you plenty more than I would tell any other outsider last weekend..." he gestured for her to return back to the pavement so they could start the drive back home.

"Ok. Ten minutes." She tried to bargain, giving him her best pout. "Please... pleeeaaase?"

Surely even he couldnt argue about ten minutes. After all, she couldnt help but wonder how much of what he told her last weekend, so freely, was in fact, what he had been asked to reveal!

"I am bringing the car closer." He shook his head. "I expect you to be outside by the time I pull up here."

"You dont want to come in?"

"Our people are not welcome in their places of worship..." and with that he turned and began to walk towards the car again.

...

Inside it was just as she remembered it since her last, very brief visit: mostly dark, slightly cold, and very quiet!

The altar was surrounded by a couple of stands on which were lit candles, and before it, knelt a tall figure clad in a dark suit. And so she moved some way up the aisle silently and then slipped across to seat herself on a pew.

Looking up at the vast space on the walls and ceilings, which were all adorned with old frescoes, it was hard to imagine they had no tourists!

"What answers do you seek from us, child?" The tall figure at the front asked back, rising smoothly onto his feet and crossing himself.

At first Shobha sat in stunned silence, surprised he even knew she had arrived. Then she looked around to double check that he had not been addressing another visitor or worshipper, before realising it was indeed her, that he referred to. But then he turned to face her, directly, walking over slowly.

"Are you a child of faith...?"

"Um... not of this faith... to be honest, I have been struggling with faith in general, recently, father..." she winced at hearing her own words. "I mean - you know... its been a bit up and down..."

"And yet... something brought you here, my child. So I would disagree..." he smiled at her as he approached and moved to take a seat on the same pew, but not too close. "The faithless find it difficult to cross this threshold... even out of curiosity..."

"Do you mean Vampires father?" She lowered her voice to whisper.

"There are many different monsters in this world, my child..."

"Oh yes... humans are usually the worst variety..." she nodded turning to glance at him.

He was young, slim and tall. His features were masculine and angular, making him rather handsome. And he wore a soft smile, that was both disarming and beguiling at the same time, making her wonder if it was a sin to even consider the priest as being 'hot', sitting right there in a house of worship!

"You are new to our congregation," he spoke with an English accent, the first she'd heard in months, apart from her own, since leaving London! "Are you visiting?"

"Oh no father... I am... er -" her heart raced at her previous thought.

"Of course, forgive me for not recognising sooner: you must be the new doctor at Erebor." He moved a little closer and offered his hand. "I am Matthew."

"Father Matthew," she nodded, shaking his hand. "I'm Shobha."

"Well, Doctor, for one of little faith, you certainly know your catholic church from the anglican." He glanced at her, but she remained with her dark eyes fixed on the altar ahead.

The truth was she had many catholic cousins, and while Mike had been a non church-goer, his family were also catholic! She had come to quickly spot the subtle differences. "So if you are not here for prayer... then what brings you here?"

"You bless houses and barns and other boundaries... to keep out... um... malevolence?" She asked, unsure she could get away with pointing out vampires. "But have you seen them?"

He paused, thinking about what exactly she meant and how he could answer.

"I have seen enough to fear the dark." He didnt look at her this time.

A car horn sounded from somewhere outside. She stood up and made her way out of the other side of the pew, the priest doing the same.

Moving towards the door, she paused to look back.

"If you wish to speak honestly, then I can only offer you confessional, Doctor." The priest spoke quietly, as though he had seen desperation inbher demeanour. "Perhaps your questions may be better answered there..."

She frowned at him, taking another look at the frescoes that adorned the walls. Most of these were bloody depictions of savage feasts on humans by vampires, or gory battles between vampires and wolfmen, and some attacks of the wolves on villagers.

"Take care; dont find yourself alone in dark places!" He called out again as she carried on towards the door.

Was he warning her about the werewolves or the vampires?

It didnt matter for now. She felt too tired - her brain frazzled, and a nap in the car beckoned her. It was far too desirable at that moment, to resist in the slightest.

Outside the churchyard was darker than she anticipated. The sun was beginning to set.

She reached into her handbag and pulled out her phone to check the time. The small white card Fernando gave her appeared with her phone, and she stared at it, blinking in the dying light for a moment.

He had written a message on the blank side:

'I will look into who stole your license.

Be careful, he has your details and your address.'

The realisation made her heart pound faster as she tried to recall whether she had indeed updated the address on it to her accomodation here in Erebor.

Athol beeped the horn from where he had parked, snapping her out of her thoughts. She could just about make out his angry face from within the large SUV.

Dale was not going to give up any of its secrets today, and depending on how much Athol would reveal to Thorin, she would be in a fair amount of trouble!

After hurrying to the car and getting in, she turned to glance at the giant bodyguard, but he stared straight ahead, a dour expression cast across his face.

So she stared out of the window, watching the silhouettes of distant cottages with their little twinkling lights as they sped back to Erebor. In the silence and warmth, finally overcome with fatigue, she slowly drifted off.

...

The next two weeks had passed in a blur of work. All her oncalls had fallen together during that time as she had requested. Usually she liked to get them all done in a short stretch, and it had seemed that Athol had left out the details of her robber during, what she imagined was a lengthy brief to Thorin.

Even Shobha herself had started to forget about the whole incident, until that friday evening as she finished work and began looking for Athol to drop her back home to a what she hoped was a nice bowl of frosted flakes and long nap with a lay-in the next morning.

But he was not in the doctors room where he usually waited for her, so she headed for her office. Everyone else had left, making the small corridor with offices appear like a ghost town.

As she rounded the final turn into their shared offices, she spotted a figure sitting opposite her desk casually reading the newspaper. At first she paused, taking a step back so she couldnt be spotted. Between the fatigue and generally feeling as though her mind had been frazzled a little, she had trouble recognising who her visitor might be. Perhaps it might even be the man from Dale! Then realising her approaching footsteps had already been heard, she walked in to her office.

He was probably the last person she expected to be seated there waiting for her! And in any case, she had kept her self busy and out of sight, to avoid any run ins with him... So it was no surprise that she hadnt recognised Thorin!

Running her hands through her hair subconsciously, in an attempt to neaten it, after a long day of work, she took a few hesitant steps in.

"Hi..."

He immediately stood up as she approached turning to her.

"Shobha," he tilted his head.

"Um... are you here for Oin...?" She looked around the office noting there was no sign of Athol still.

"I have given Athol the evening off..." Thorin explained as if he could read her mind. "He mentioned that your staple food was breakfast cereal... and Dis thought you should have a decent meal tonight instead after your two weeks of work."

"Oh?" She still didnt quite understand.

"So I am here to escort you to dinner at the Manor."

"Oh! I see!" She suddenly panicked. She wasnt dressed and could have probably done with a shower.

"You appear perfectly suitable for a casual supper... there is no need to worry about a change of clothes. It will be just Dis, Dwalin and myself..." he folded the paper and set it on her desk, paying no attention to her as he spoke in his usual manner. "It will not take long, and I will then drive you back to your house."

"I dont know... I could do with a shower really -"

"There is no need. You smell fine, and do not look particularly worn by the work..." he replied flatly as he turned and walked to the door before looking back at her and gesturing for her to join him. "In any case, it would only delay your return home."

"Wow. A girl could never refuse, after a compliment like that..." muttering with a chuckle, she paused to turn off the desk lamp and pick up her bag, hesitating.

"Since you have a particular desire to find out about the history and philosophy of our people... I could show you some of our tapestries from the eleventh century..." he gave her a sidelong glance, trying hard to hide his smirk.

She didnt need to be told twice, her desire to see his old tapestries outweighed her fatigue and wish to avoid all humanity after a long day at work! Shutting the door behind her she began to follow him.

….

As they arrived at Durin Manor, everything seemed quieter and darker than when she visited last. A few dim lights came on as sensors picked up their arrival.

"This way..." Thorin gestured as they stepped through into the grand entry hall. "Dis? ...Dis!"

"Are you sure you have the right day?" She smiled cheekily.

"The right - Day...!" He moved quicker, almost growling at her. "Where in Mahal's name are they?!"

A well dressed butler suddenly appeared from further down the corridor, scurrying to reach his side holding a note in his hands.

Her heart sank at seeing this. It could only mean one thing: they had been abandoned!

Thorin frowned after reading the note.

"It appears Dis and Dwalin had intended to take us out to join the rest of the group in Dale, but as you were late, we have missed our chance. Some food will arrive in twenty minutes, and in the meantime she has arranged for cocktails in the atrium... on your way to see the tapestries..." he grunted, huffing at what was written. "So we will be dining alone tonight… no matter – I am sure you will be happy to finish up early..."

He watched her out of the corner of his eye for her reaction, but she seemed too engrossed in a large portrait that hung on the wall.

"Hmmmm…?" She muttered distracted, gazing up.

"Those are my parents." He replied to her silent question, coming to stand close by her, watching her face more than looking at the painting itself.

"Oh – I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…" she clutched her hands together to stop her natural instinct to touch his arm.

"There is no need to apologise. I miss them, but I have made my peace." He looked up at the portrait, where they both posed together. She was a beautiful woman with silver streaked hair put up in an elegant do, with soft hazel eyes, and sharp features, a lot like Dis. While his father was almost completely grey haired, with a thick beard, coarse features, and most strikingly brilliant, piercing blue eyes, which Thorin had inherited.

"They make a handsome couple." She whispered, turning very slightly to watch him, secretly this time, as he gazed up at his parents with a mixture of sorrow, love and gratitude. "I can see where you get your eyes from…"

He turned to gaze down at her, only to have her look away and back up at their portrait, a slight blush creeping across her cheeks.

"This way…" he began ushering her towards another room. "Laverna will have dinner ready by now…"

…..

Follow, fave and review away and let me know your thoughts xx

Chelsea - its def becoming more scary... i think the danger is drawing her in! (Gulp!)