This was a difficult chapter to get through. I guess it was because I had the story going in three different directions before I finally decided on a path in which to take it. I am happy that I am able to continue forward, although it's a snail's pace. I will update more regularly when the winter months get here, and I have a more stable schedule at my jov for the Christmas season. Reviews are most welcome. You guys are the ones that keep me going, and I thank you.

Also, I did not do a lot of research into dwarves courting rituals in the Tolkien or movie references, so I kind of made up a few things. I used the standard practice from the early 19th Century of Western Culture instead.

Chapter 11: Getting To Know Your Enemies

For the next several days, Nyssa was put through a grueling training process with Dwalin. She thought she had it bad when she trained with the Dunedain rangers, but this was intense. She reported to Dwalin an hour before sunrise to help with the rebuilding of the corridors that led into the living areas of the mountain. It seemed that the stress of Smaug's Earth-shaking footsteps combined with years of neglect had made them unstable and dangerous.

She felt exhausted by the time the evening meal was presented in the dining hall. She could barely sit at her table as the pain from the day's work coursed through every joint in her body. She stared in amazement at the loud commotion around her. These dwarves worked just as long and hard as she did, yet they still had the energy to dance on the tables and feast like every day was a party.

Suppose it was, for them at least? They had managed to get back their homeland and secure it for future dwarves to inhabit this mountain. To the average person, that was something to celebrate.

Nyssa looked down at her plate and wrinkled her nose in despair. She could not tell what had happened to her appetite. Was it really the strenuous work that left her body in uncomfortable pain, or the mental pain of missing her family? She did not know.

She was so lost in her own thoughts that she did not see Fili and Kili approach her table until they were right in front of her. Kili slammed his tankard down on the table causing a few drops of ale to spill on the old oak finish. The action brought Nyssa out of her thoughts and into the present. She looked up at the two princes and smiled.

"Look Kili, she does know how to smile," joked Fili to his brother. "Why are you so alone, my lady? Why not join in the festivities?"

"Clearly, my lords, you are having just as much fun without my help. Besides, I am far too sore to join the party," she answered as she tried massaging her shoulder. "Your captain of the guard forgets that I am not a dwarf. I may have the lifespan of one, but I do not have your stamina."

"Oh, there is a remedy for that," said Kili picking up his tankard and taking a long gulp of ale.

"How surprising it is to have a dwarf tell me that all the answers I seek in life can easily be found after a long night of drinking," said Nyssa teasing the young dwarf.

She raised her tankard in a salute to the two princes and took a long drink of her own. Fili smirked as he did the same.

The two princes took the empty seats opposite of Nyssa and continued drinking and laughing, unaware that Nori was seated a few tables away watching their interactions with a curious eye. Bofur had just finished a funny story in which everyone at the table laughed loudly including himself. He turned to Nori who seamed too distracted to take part in the fun.

"Hey there," Bofur said reaching across the table to jab Nori in the arm. "What has gotten into you?"

Nori turned to Bofur still looking lost in thought.

"That lady ranger over there," Nori said gesturing toward Nyssa. "Why is she here, do ya know?"

"Dunno," said Bofur as he followed Nori's gaze and shrugged his shoulders. "You could ask Dwalin. He's the one lookin' after her."

"There's somethin' about her. I can't explain it."

Nori took a drink from his tankard as he tried to remember where he had seen this woman before. It really bothered him, like an itch that he could not scratch. Why would a human woman be of any interest to him? He had very little to do with any humans in his lifetime. There were only a few times where he ventured out into the world of men, not including the company's quest.

The markets in Gondor were very rich indeed, and there were many pockets ripe for the picking, so to speak. He had acquired quite a few gold coins until he was caught helping himself to an old woman's purse. He managed to escape the prison cells and leave Gondor with his skin in tact.

While he was there, he learned of other nefarious deeds done by another group. A family notorious for thievery and criminal mishaps blamed on innocent folks. While their reputations were well known, there was no real news about where they came from. There were only rumors, some seemingly more incredible while others were more believable.

Bofur watched his friend with curiosity as Nori's face seemed troubled. Nori took another gulp from his tankard and slammed the mug on the table in frustration. This strange memory would haunt him until he found the answers.

"Nori? Are you alright? Too much of that dwarven ale?" Bofur asked in jest. He knew it took a lot of drink to get Nori even a little tipsy.

"What? Oh, I am fine, mate," said Nori as Bofur's questions brought him out of his thoughts and into the present. "I forgot. I need to be somewhere right now. I'll see ya in the morning."

Like a shot, Nori grabbed his tankard and left the table with Bofur furrowing his forehead in confusion. Nori decided to find Dori. Maybe talking with his brother would help jar the memory loose from its foggy abyss. Only Dori knew of Nori's past. He disapproved of Nori's behavior, but they were brothers. Nothing was more important to a dwarf, other than treasures, was family. If anyone could help Nori with his problems, it was Dori.

Nori's abrupt departure left Bofur in utter bewilderment. Was it something he said to his friend that got him all grumpy? He took a large gulp of ale from his own mug as he mentally went over the events leading up to Nori leaving. The last thing that was mentioned was about the female ranger.

Bofur glanced over at the table where the girl and the princes were laughing and smiling through their conversations. They seemed to be having a fun time in each other's company. So, what was so strange about it? Bofur shrugged and dismissed the thought. Perhaps, it was just another one of Nori's eccentric qwerks. He was always the most secretive in the company.

Bofur reached across the table for a plate of meat and cheese to go with his ale. He was determined to enjoy the evening and drink until he passed out under the table (as usual). He turned his attention back to the singing and put the conversation out of his mind.

Nyssa was completely oblivious to any such attentions. She was having fun being entertained by the princes with their stories and laughter. But, the effects of the dwarves' ale was getting to her. She shielded a sudden yawn with the back of her hand and felt very tired. Kili's face fell slightly as he became aware that their time was coming to a close for the evening.

However, Nyssa was far from wanting to retire to her quarters, no matter how weary she felt. Now, would have been a chance for her to get the princes to escort her throughout the kingdom. A quiet innocent tour of the city was a great way to navigate and learn these halls without suspicion.

"Well, you must be in need of rest. Mr. Dwalin will have you working and training twice as hard tomorrow," said Fili as he stood up from his seat. He motioned for Kili to join him.

Nyssa's eyes widened, and her demeanor changed. She reached for Fili's hand and gently tugged at it. The act took both Fili and Kili by surprise, for the movement displayed a bit more intimacy than it was meant to.

"Don't leave just yet. We were having such fun," she stood and smiled but immediately let go of Fili's hand once she saw what prompted their reactions. "I was hoping to gain the courage to ask you nice gentle dwarves to give me a tour of this mighty kingdom of yours."

Nyssa could feel her cheeks blushing when she first noticed the princes reactions after she grasped Fili's hand. Her eyes dropped to the table in complete embarrassment, and it took her a few seconds to find her voice to make her suggestion. In the back of her mind, she berated herself for not thinking before she reacted. She knew that dwarves regarded holding hands as an intimate gesture reserved for couples courting. It was the same for when a dwarf braided another's hair. She hoped that no one else saw that, and the princes did not read too much into it.

"Oh, well," Fili said searching for his own voice. He turned to his brother for assistance. "I suppose we could offer some guidance."

"Sure, for your protection, of course," Kili chimed in. "Erebor can be very dangerous to any outsider. The mountain corridors are extensive. It takes days to explore every part."

"Yes, I could get lost, and we would not want that," Nyssa said, her smile grew bigger.

The princes returned her smile and lead the way out of the dining hall. Fili glanced at the other dwarves in the room, but they were too consumed with their own conversations, drink, and singing to pay the three of them any mind. He was thankful for that. The last thing he wanted was for any fabricated stories to come from what just took place between him and the ranger. He did not want to face his uncle and have to explain an event that he was not even sure of himself.

As they neared the exit of the dining hall, Nyssa saw a gathering of dwarves around a much larger table at the far side of the room. They were dressed in regal robes of magistrates and lords, and they were in casual conversation with each other. Nyssa recognized the dwarf, Balin, among them dressed in a red garment looking very noble. The only characters that stood out, ironically stood away from the group altogether, were a small group of elves just a few steps away. She recognized one of the elves as Ambassador Elion, the elf she met in the healer's house in Dale.

What is he doing here?

Nyssa gently tugged on Kili's arm to gain his attention and pointed at the delegation at the table. Her eyes were fixed on Elion as she spoke.

"Who are those people over there?" she asked as innocently as possible.

"Those are the delegates from the seven dwarf kingdoms. They are here for the Durin's Day celebrations," Kili answered.

"Durin's Day," she said in surprise. "I thought it was still over a month away."

"It is, but we dwarves love to celebrate for as long as we can," he said with a smile.

"They are not just here for Durin's Day," Fili said interrupting his brother's teasing. "Uncle is negotiating trade agreements and other treaties with the seven kingdoms and the Woodland Realm. Uncle wants to finalize these agreements by the sunset on Durin's Day."

Nyssa nodded her head that she understood, and glanced back at the table.

"Come with us. You said you wanted to see the mountain," Fili smiled and tapped Nyssa on the shoulder to bring her out of her thoughts. Nyssa returned the smile and followed the princes out of the room.

Their exit did not go unnoticed. One of the elves saw Nyssa from across the room and leaned toward his ambassador to whisper something in his ear. Elion nodded his head and glanced toward the exit in time to see Nyssa leave the room.

"She is here, your grace," said the elf subordinate.

"Yes, she is far more devious than our king gives her credit for," said Elion as he takes a drink from his wine goblet.

Two guards from the main entrance into the dining hall entered with trumpet horns in their hands. They blew a quick tune in unison and stood at attention as a bellman entered the room. Silence fell as the bellman announced the arrival of King Thorin. The king entered as everyone in the room bowed to show their respects. Thorin waved his approval, and the crowd returned to their individual food, drink, and company. Thorin hurried toward the table where the delegates were taking their seats.

"I trust that Lord Thorin knows what he must do during the official ceremony on Durin's Day," one of the dwarf delegates addressed to Balin. It sounded more like a reminder than a casual discussion.

"He knows what is at stake, Wan. You don't have to remind us," Balin said cordially but with a little stern in his voice. He was growing quite tired of their constant tirades.

"It is not that we have doubts about the king, Balin. You must understand that the seven dwarf kingdoms have made a pledge during the time of Thror's rule. The kingdoms pledge their allegiance to the one who wields the Arkenstone. Thorin must produce it for all the world to see at the ceremony," said another delegate.

"You will see the Arkenstone, Flunli, son of Gilloi," said a low baritone voice from behind him.

The young dwarf's eyes grew large as he turned and stood face to face with Thorin, son of Thrain. The king looked at the dwarf with a hard stare from his icy blue eyes, daring the dwarf to say something more. Flunli lowered his gaze, and for a few seconds, Thorin contemplated putting the young dwarf in his place. But, he decided against it and moved toward his chair. His guards took their usual stations around the table as Thorin sat down.

"I know that many of you are apprehensive over whether or not the Arkenstone definitely rests under this mountain. Let me assure you that I am the rightful King Under the Mountain. I have the Arkenstone in a safe place that is well guarded. And, there is not a creature in Middle-earth who is foolish enough to steal it from me. It belongs to the dwarves of Erebor, and here is were it will stay. Am I perfectly clear?" stated Thorin.

There was silence and the nodding of heads around the table. Thorin was satisfied with that and laid the matter to rest. He gestured for the servants to begin serving the food and wine.

"A fine speech, my lord," said Elion as he raised his goblet to Thorin. "You can now rejoice in the knowledge that this is your kingdom, and you are its rightful heir. Thankfully, no one here would even dream of challenging your right."

Elion stood from his table and raised his goblet toward Thorin.

"To King Thorin," he said as he took a drink from the goblet.

"To King Thorin," said the rest of the delegates as they raised their goblets and toasted to their king.

Thorin was the last to do the same and nodded to Elion. He grinned at the elf seated across the table, yet he sorely disliked him. Not because he was from the Woodland Realm and in Thranduil's employ, but because Thorin felt something sinister in his remarks.

Thorin had the same feeling when he met the elf in Dale. He always knew to trust his feelings when something was uneasy. He only wished that he listened to his inner voice more often. When the company entered the empty cave in the Misty Mountains during the quest to reach Erebor a few years past, he might have spared the group the little detour into Goblin Town.

For Balin's sake and for the good of building relations for Erebor, Thorin would let the elf's remarks go without a challenge to his meaning. But, he made sure that he would receive regular reports while the elves visited his mountain. If they were up to something, he wanted to know what it was.