Balin frowned "The caravan is nearly here, where is she?"
Dwalin shrugged, "She said she and Bilbo needed to check on some of the plants out of the balcony."
"That was an hours ago! She swore she would not be late!" Balin pinched the bridge of his nose.
They turned as the echo of hurried footsteps sounded behind them. Nimera was running up the path towards the gate, the hem of her dress billowing around her as she weaved her way through the crowd. Behind her Bilbo was also hurriedly making his way through with a flurry of 'excuse me!' And 'pardon'. The two skidded to an abrupt halt as they reached the gathered assembly.
Nimera looked around for a moment, a smile spreading across her face "See Bilbo I told you we would make it!"
The hobbit rolled his eyes before clearing his throat loudly holding up a pair of slippers.
Nimeras cheeks turned pink as she looked down at her bare feet peeking from under her dress. "Oh right, thanks." She said grabbing the slippers from him
Steadying herself on Balin's shoulder she quickly slipped the shoes on. "Cutting it a little close aren't we?"
Nimera gave him a sheepish look "Sorry we lost track of the hour."
"Nimera!" Dis frowned looking at something behind her "There is dirt on the hem of your dress!"
Nimera pulled the back hem of her dress around. Frowning as she saw a small trail of dirt smudged along the back of the rosy fabric. She picked it up, rubbing furiously at the offending dirt until it smudged off onto her hand. She looked at the dirt covered hand debating the next step in her plan.
She felt someone elbow her lightly. Fili gestured his head slightly to where he had his sleeve turned inside out. He held the sleeve closer to her. She looked up at him questioningly before he nodded. She grinned, quickly wiping the dirt onto the fabric.
"My hero." She laughed quietly as he carefully turned the sleeve back, hiding the stain.
"I do believe that is it." Dis said drawing their attention.
A large caravan was drawing closer to the mountain stopping just before the great doors. Two dwarves at the head of the caravan dismounted, approaching the group.
"That is Lord Dain." Balin whispered to Nimera tilting his head towards a large burly dwarf, his shock of bright red hair billowing around him like a mane.
"Thorin!" The red haired dwarf bellowed, stepping to the king under the mountain as two embraced. "Good to see you lads!" He said, clasping Kili and Fili on the shoulders.
"It is good to see you Dain." Fili bowed slightly
"And Dis, radiant as always." Dain moved to her with a wink as he bowed.
He moved down the line to where Dwalin Balin and Nimera stood.
"Dwalin. Stoic as ever I see." The dwarf lord grinned
"Dain." Dwalin grunted in greeting
He paused as he noticed Nimera beside him
"And who is this?"
"Ah this is our ward Nimera." Balin said pushing her forward
Nimera bowed "Lord Dain it is an honor to meet you. My mother was from the Iron Hills."
"And where have you been hiding? I have not seen you in Erebor before."
"Nimera has been traveling for the past five years and has only recently returned to us." Balin explained patting her shoulder
The ginger dwarfs eyebrows rose slightly "Traveling? For what purpose?"
"Perfecting my craft my lord. I traveled the lands learning healing."
Dain nodded approvingly, "A noble pursuit indeed."
Nimera inclined her head slightly "Thank you my Lord."
"But where are my manners? May I present my son Thorin II." He said motioning for the dwarf behind him to step forward. A tall broad shouldered dwarf stepped beside Dain,
"My Lady." He said, taking her hand as he bowed "Thorin II at your service."
Nimera bowed again "Nimera at your service and your families."
"Hopefully I will not need the services of a healer during our stay." He said with a wide smile
"Perhaps the service of a friend then instead." Nimera smiled back
"Aye that I will take." He nodded releasing her hand
"Come" Thorin said, clapping Dain on the shoulder, "We will get all of you settled. I am sure your people are tired. There is much to do before Durins day is upon us!"
Dain nodded motioning for the rest of the caravan to proceed, a small stream of dwarves beginning to trickle inside.
….
Nimera inched her way down the hall, grateful that most of the dwarves were giving her a wide berth. She looked up at the tall stack of books in her arms, noticing the small green volume at the top of the pile beginning to slide slightly. She stuck a hesitant foot out probing the floor in front of her.
"I know there are stairs here somewhere." She muttered
"Lady Nimera!"
Nimera turned her head slightly, unwilling to risk toppling Oin's precious volumes to greet whoever had called her.
A familiar shock of red hair appeared in her peripheral.
"Oh, Lord Thorin good morning!" Nimera smiled as the dwarf came to stand beside her
He chuckled "I do think it will be rather confusing having two Thorins in this mountain. Most just call me Stonehelm."
She nodded "Stonehelm it is. Though I must insist then that you simply call me Nimera."
"Can I assist you?" He asked looking at the books
Nimera shook her head "Oh no I will be alright, I am sure you have better things to be doing!"
"Nonsense." He said, taking most of the stack from her "Where are you going with these?"
"Back to the library. Master Oin is trying to clear out extra space in the healing wing to prepare for the influx of people in the mountain."
"That is probably for the best. Durins day does have a habit of getting rowdy." He grinned "Will you be attending the festivities tomorrow?"
Nimera shook her head "I will be in the healing wing for most of it, but I will be at the feast…. its through here." She said guiding him through the large double doors
"Oh hello Nimera!" Ori said looking up from his desk "More books to be stored?"
"I think this is the last batch." Nimera nodded
"Where should I set these?" Stonehelm asked coming up behind her
Ori looked over in surprise, noticing him for the first time.
"Oh just over there, I will shelve them with the others." He pointed to a large stack of books in the corner.
"Thank you Ori." Nimera smiled
"Is there anything else I can assist you with?" Stonehelm asked
Nimera shook her head, "That was my last task for the afternoon."
"Then perhaps you would be inclined to show me around the mountain?"
"I suppose so. Though it will not be a very good tour. I still find myself getting lost on rare occasion."
"I am sure it will be a fine tour." He said offering his arm
She nodded, taking his arm. "I will try my best then."
…
"And this is… oh the hall of kings." Nimera said, finally recalling the name Fili had told her. "Most of it was destroyed by the dragon. From what I know they only recently finished restoring all of the statues." She gestured to the large stone statues lining the hall.
"It is a good likeness." Stonehelm nodded, inspecting the statue of Thorin at the end of the line.
"Nim!"
Nimera looked over to see Kili sauntering towards them.
He paused, eying the pair for a moment "What are the two of you up to?"
"Oh Stonehelm asked if I could show him around the mountain."
Kili's eyebrows rose "Well now Stonehelm, is your memory really so terrible that you do not remember anything of the extensive tour Fili and I gave you on your last visit?"
Stonehelm shifted awkwardly "I wished to make sure I did not miss any major restorations that had been made."
Nimera sighed "I fear I am doing a poor job as a guide. It took me the longest time to even remember how to get here."
A grin began to creep across Kili's face. "Well I can surely help you with that!" He said wedging himself in between the two "I would be more than happy to help you show Stonehelm the new restorations!"
"Well I don't think…" Stonehelm began
"Oh that would be helpful, thank you Kili." Nimera nodded "I am sure Kili can help us find all of the new restorations." She looked at Stonehelm "I would feel terrible if I missed something you had wanted to see."
Kili draped an arm around Stonehelm "Right then off we go!"
…
Nimera looked up as a loud knock sounded on her chamber door.
She quickly finished pulling her tunic over her head "Enter."
Risti's head poked through "It is almost time. Are you ready?"
Nimera nodded, pulling the loop of her belt tight, the sword against her hip a reassuringly familiar feeling.
"Thank you for agreeing to come." Nimera said as they exited the hall
Risti waved her off "Nonsense! I would not miss a moment. I heard that the hand to hand qualifiers had over 45 rings!"
Nimera could believe it, she had seen the losers of the bouts trickle into the healing halls all afternoon.
They stopped as they reached a small line. A handful of dwarves and men stood milling about each waiting to step to the long table in front.
A dwarf waved them forward "Name?"
"Nimera of Erebor."
The dwarf scanned the parchment in front of him
"You will start in ring six." He handed her a bundle of red cord before waving her through.
"I will be waiting in the stands!" Risti assured her
Nimera stepped through the passage into the gloomy afternoon. 20 rings were outlined in the dirt around the arena which was sparsely populated with spectators and combatants.
"Nimera!"
Kili jogged over to her
"Kili? Shouldn't you be with Dis?" She pointed to the royal box at the head of the arena
He shrugged "I told them I was your trainer, which seeing how Dwalin and Fili are in counsel right now, makes me the closest thing to one. Figured you could use some pep talk before the matches!"
His eyes raked over the assembled participants "Though it does not seem like much luck is needed. The men's blade had over 70 rings!"
Nimera drew her sword, giving it a few slow swings "I appreciate the confidence Kee, though I doubt they will all be easy matches."
He shrugged, "You only need to win six."
There was a sudden fanfare as Dis stepped out onto the box. "Fighters take to your rings. Each match will go until a yield or a severed cord and first blood. Only those victorious in the match will advance to the next round!"
Nimera took her spot in the ring. Across from her a young human woman looked at her apprehensively. Nimera sighed inwardly, deciding it would be quickest to get the girl to yield.
Kili's voice cut across the yard "Begin!"
Nimera lunged at the girl, taking her by surprise. She stepped back, her sword half raised. Nimera locked her blade to the girl's hooking around before wrenching it from the girl's grasp.
The girl gave her a startled look as Nimera pointed both swords at her. "I yield!"
Nimera bowed slightly before handing the girl back her sword.
The next five rounds proved to be harder, Nimera losing her cord twice before she was able to best her opponent. By the end of her last match she had begun to grow irritated at the small cuts and nicks littered over her arms from her opponents attempts to cut her cord or draw blood.
She huffed in exasperation as the darrow in front of her pushed her strike back, refusing to yield after Nimera had drawn first blood.
With one final strike she pushed the dwarf onto her heels, hooking her foot under her leg, toppeling her opponent. She reached out , grabbing the cord from around the dwarf's arm as she fell. Nimera held the chord up, displaying it to the spectators.
"Lady Nimera has taken both first blood and cord!" Dis announced happily
Nimera offered her hand to the dwarf below. The woman slapped her hand away with a huff. Stomping out of the ring.
Nimera frowned, throwing the dwarf's cord to the ground.
She paused looking around her clearly for the first time since the matches started, realizing she was the only one left in the ring.
"Well done Nimera!" Dis called beckoning her closer
Nimera stopped in front of the royal box as Kili jumped down to meet her.
"Is everyone else gone?" Nimera frowned
"Aye, the other final round ended a bit ago. You'll be facing Renka of the Iron Hills."
"Will we see you tonight dear?" Dis questioned "I know Oin has been dreadfully busy with the tournaments."
Nimera nodded "I will be attending with Risti after I am done in the healing halls. I am sorry that I cannot stay and attend the rest of the qualifiers with you Dis." She turned to Kili "and sorry for missing your and Filis qualifiers."
"These matches mean nothing." He said dismissively " The real excitement will not be until tomorrow."
Nimera looked up at the sun, which was beginning to slant back downwards to the horizon. "Mahal, is that really the hour? Oin will have my head! Do you mind holding on to this?" She asked, pushing her sword into Kili's hands. Without waiting for a reply, she jogged out into the passage.
…
Nimera paused, examining the runes on the closest door before moving on. She turned down the next hall stooping closer to read in the dim light. She smiled, straightening herself, rapping three times on the door "Risti?"
The door swung open, instead of the healer, a lean barrel chested dwarf stood in the entryway. His face cracked into a wide smile, displaying a polished silver tooth.
"By my days you must be Nimera!" He boomed, pulling her into a crushing embrace
"I..t..s a pleasure…si..r" She wheezed, pulling her head back from his golden beard.
"Thir, let the poor girl go, you're smothering her!"
Thir gave a startled look at Nimera "Apologies my Lady for taking such a liberty, with all of Risti's tales I felt as though I have known you for ages!"
Nimera waved a hand "Nonsense. I feel the same. I have heard many tales of the greatest baker in all of Erebor!"
Thir's chest puffed with pride
Risti took her arm, stepping out into the hall with her "It is an honor to be potentially escorting Erebors new Victoress of the blade."
"Aye, Risit told me all about your matches this afternoon!" Thir nodded "To think you'll be fighting in front of the whole mountain tomorrow!"
Nimera's color drained slightly, as she pressed ahead.
"I am sure you are excited for your first Durins Day." Risit said as they joined the bustling crowd of dwarves.
Nimera nodded "It will be nice to spend some time away from the healing halls finally."
The passage was filled with the echoes of chatter and music long before they reached the great hall. Dwarves seemed to fill every open space, talking, laughing, drinking and dancing.
"I do not think I have seen so many people in one place!"
Risti laughed "this is barely a half of what Durins day will be like."
Nimera settled onto one of the tables across from Risti and Thir. Behind her the dance floor bagan to swell as the music took on a more jovial tune.
Thir's eyes flicked to Risti for a moment.
"It is a good tune to take your wife for a dance is it not?" Nimera remarked
"I would not wish for you to be alone Nimera." Risti shook her head
"Perhaps I could offer my hand then?"
The trio all turned to the adjacent table in unison. Stonehelm rose from his seat, his hand extended to Nimera.
"Oh she would love to!" Risti nodded vhemientally, practically pushing Nimera from her seat.
She stumbled slightly, Stonehelm catching her by the arm to steady her. Nimera glanced back at the table for a moment, only to find empty seats in place of her friends.
"It seems as though I have been abandoned." She sighed
Stonehelm lead her through the sea of dwarves, settling into an opening on the dance floor
"I hope I can serve as an agreeable substitute in the meantime."
Nimera laughed, "I suppose you will do."
.
Dis watched the party with half hearted interest. Kili had disappeared almost immediately, off to do Valar knew what. Fili was by Thorin's side, attempting to look deep in conversation, most likely to stave off the ever circling Lords and Ladies eager for him to meet their daughters. Leaving her to pass the time idaly chatting to the other guests.
As she scanned the crowd for something of interest to watch, she caught sight of Nimera. She entered the hall on the arms of two dwarves Dis had not seen before. The trio chatting and laughing as they went.
Dis knew where to look next. Her eyes slid over to where Thorin stood. Beside him Fili's gaze passed over the crowd once more. He stopped as he caught a glimpse of Nimera. His eyes lingered on her for a moment before snapping back to the Lord in front of them.
Dis smirked. It was not the first time she had seen him watching her from afar. She tapped her chin deep in thought.
Oh yes, she decided, all they needed was a little push in the right direction.
Movement drew her attention back to Nimera. Lord Stonehelm was standing beside her now, his hand outstretched. Nimera smiled, laughing at his words as he escorted her to the floor.
"She is quite the beauty."
Dis looked over, startled from her thoughts as Dain sat beside her. His eyes following Dis' line of sight to where the pair danced.
Dis hummed noncommittally, looking at him over the rim of her glass
"Strong will too it would seem. All admirable qualities." Dain continued, his tone intentionally nonchalant
She gave him a sidelong glance "Aye, she will
Make a strong addition to whatever match she choses."
"It sounds like you already have one in mind." Dain said, returning her look, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth.
She took a long sip of wine "Perhaps"
He leaned closer "You seem quite certain yours is the best match."
Dis raised an eyebrow "You have a match of your own in mind?"
Dain stroked his beard, the sly grin fully formed on his face "Perhaps. You seem quite confident yours is the stronger match, Care to make a wager?"
"I think I would." Dis grinned deviously back
"Whatever the two of you are scheming you had best stop before Dwalin catches wind." Balin frowned, catching them both off guard.
"It is nothing indecent Balin." Dis waved a hand
"Nimera will not like being a pawn in someone else's plan. Nor do I like it for that matter." Balin shook his head
"We would not dream of forcing the poor girl into anything!" Dis spoke up "Just perhaps a little nudge to see if her heart might lie somewhere near."
Balin sighed deeply, casting a glance to where Nimera was in the process of dragging a reluctant Ori into a dance "Very well. But if i sense anything is not in Nimera's best interest I will tell Dwalin of your little wager and the rest will be on your heads."
.
Nimera flopped down onto the bench beside Risti
"Mahal, I did not think Ori had that much energy in him!"
"Oh aye, he sure is a vivacious little bugger on the floor!" Thir laughed
Nimera looked up as a tankard was pressed into her hands.
"Better start catching up!" Kili smiled, "I am on my fifth already."
"Prince Kili!" Thir stumbled from the bench to bow "Thir son of Jir at your service!"
Kili bowed in turn
"Thir here is the one if the best bakers in Erebor." Nimera cut in "Risti sings nothing but his praises."
Thirs face flushed a deep red "Well I dont know about…"
Kili scratched his chin "Well if Risti has sung your praises will have to come the next time I am in the markets."
Thir dropped into a deep bow "It would be an honor your grace!"
"Looks like you need another." Kili tapped a finger around the now empty tankard in Nimeras hand
She looked down in surprise. "That I do it seems."
Kilinodded to Thri and Risti "Might I borrow the Lady for a moment?"
"Of course!" Risti said shooing them on "Go and have fun."
Kili grabbed her hand pulling her along through the crowd until they reached the serving tables. He snatched two full tankards, passing one to Nimera as he took the empty one from her other hand.
"Not too many now." He wagged a finger "You need to be in tip top shape for tomorrow."
Nimera ran a hand over her face "Mahal do not remind me!"
"Oh come now we have been training for weeks. You breezed through your qualifying opponents like they were mere dwarflings!"
"I heard the fighter from the Iron Hills is last year's victoress." Nimera sighed into her drink "She will not be an easy opponent."
Kili slung an arm around her "Lighten up Nim, it is not life or death…. I will just respect you a little less if you lose."
"Oh? So do I also get to respect you less if you lose?"
Kili shook his head tapping the band of silver around his head "I am royalty, you have to respect me no matter what."
Nimera gave him a sidelong look, a playful grin splayed across her face "Well that is a problem- I never respected you from the start."
He gave her a pouting look "You wound me my Lady! Does this mean you will also lose respect for Fili should we both fail?"
Nimera shrugged, "Thorin must have one reputable heir."
She glanced around the room for a moment "Where is your brother anyway?"
Kili snorted, gesturing across the room to where Fili stood surrounded by older darrows and their waiting daughters.
"Your brother looks as though he needs saving"
Kili laughed, "Poor bastard will not even be able to get a single drink at this rate."
"Go and help him then." Nimera elbowed him in the ribs
Kili looked down at his tankard then back to his brother. "Nah." He said taking a long pull from his drink
"You are a terrible brother." Nimera chuckled
"If I go over there then I will get pulled into the swarm and I am enjoying myself too much to put a stop to it. You go help him."
Nimera swung herself off the bench "I think I will."
She carefully weaved her way through the sea of people. She stood on the outside of the throng of darrowdamn. Thinking for a moment of how best to go about her plan. With a bit of maneuvering she managed to get through the crowd.
"Excuse me my prince." She said in a more respectful tone
Fili turned in surprise at her voice "Nime…"
She cut him off as she curtsied "Your mother has requested your presence, your grace."
He gave her a look of confusion, nodding slowly. He turned to the crowd around him with a bow "Excuse me but I must go."
He quickly turned back to Nimera following her out of the throng and back into the open space of the hall
"What did my mother say?" He asked as she led him to the dance floor. His brows furrowed slightly as she broke into a laugh.
"Dis did not send me." She said, taking his hands in hers as the music began again "You looked like you needed saving."
A smile spread across his face as he began to lead her through the steps "My hero."