Nimera looked up as a knock sounded on her study door, surprised as Stonehelm entered.
"I am not nearly finished." She gave him a curious look "What hour is it?"
He shook his head "King Thorin has requested to meet with you."
She snapped the book in her hands shut with more force than she had intended. "Did he say why?"
"It is not related to Durin's day, that is all I know." Stonehelm reassured her, glancing at the book
She sighed "Lead on then."
…
Nimera turned to the guards posted outside the chamber door hoping for some sort of directive. The guards merely watched her with a vague look of disinterest.
She rocked back on her heels for a moment. "Do I knock or…."
"Nimera."
She wheeled around to see Balin on the landing
"Balin!" She smiled "Have you been summoned as well?"
He nodded, taking her arm in his "Aye, wherever Thorin goes I tend not to be too far behind these days." He looked to the guards "If you please."
The guards bowed, pushing open the chamber doors. Nimera paused for a moment to shoot the closest guard a frown as they passed through.
Thorin sat near the head of the small counsel table, papers scattered across the surface
"Thorin." She inclined her head
"Nimera." He nodded, motioning her to sit.
Nimera took up a seat beside Oin.
"Ah lass good to see you." He smiled "Thorin and I were hoping you would be amiable to travel outside of the mountain tomorrow."
She looked between Them "Travel to where exactly? I thought you would be the one to accompany the delegation to Dale to check their winter stores Master Oin?"
Thorin nodded "He is, however the Master of the Lake has now requested assistance on checking their medicinal stores as well. With Oin already in Dale the thought was that you would go in his stead."
"Not alone of course." Oin added "Norlin will assist you. He has made a few trips to Lake Town in the past and has a good rapport with the Master."
Nimera nodded, "Norlin will be a fine assistant I am sure."
"You will ride out to Dale with the envoy at first light tomorrow, I will arrange a barge to take you the rest of the way to Lake Town."
She inclined her head as she stood. "Of course, I will be ready."
…
"What in Mahal's name are you wearing?"
Kili held the sleeve of Nimera's billowing white robe between his fingers, inspecting the silver trim.
Nimera attempted to tug the sleeve out of his grasp to no avail.
"Oin was insistent that since we are accompanying the royal envoy we wear these." She made a sweeping gesture "Apparently he is very fond of the traditional healer's robes. "
"Could be worse," Kili jerked his head to the front of the envoy. "At least you do not have a get up like that."
At the head sat Fili and Thorin, both dressed in rich blue coats trimmed with heavy furs and belts, great capes billowing behind them.
Nimera placed a hand on her robe, attempting to bat down the hem as the breeze caught the billowing fabric. "At least theirs has a stately look, I feel like an over inflated cloud!" She exclaimed, gathering the unruly garment in her arm as she reached for the saddle
"Might I offer a hand?" Stonehelm smiled as he stopped beside them, one hand outstretched.
Nimera nodded as he took the bunched fabric from her, freeing her hands as she hoisted herself into her saddle.
"Well don't we look like a fine pair!" A raucous voice called
A short barrel chested dwarf rode up beside them, strands of wiry black hair escaping the thick braid running back along his head as he waved enthusiastically.
"Norlin!" Nimera laughed, eying his identical white robe "I see Oin has found you as well."
He nodded "Aye, I feel like a snow capped peak in the wintertime."
Trumpets sounded from the front of the envoy.
Kili took a step away from them "Well as fun as I am sure this will be, I have other matters to attend to."
Nimera gave him a skeptical look "Oh I am sure you will be very busy left unsupervised for two days."
He grinned "I can think of one or two things to pass the time."
The guards in front of them began to move, Nimera nudging her horse forward.
She looked over to Norlin as they passed out of the mountain and onto the road "To the lake then?"
He sighed "To the lake."
…
Norlin hauled himself from the boat the moment it touched the dock, scampering up the gangplank.
"I will never get used to traveling by water." He grumbled "I would rather spend a week on horseback than a day on a boat!"
Nimera took the last of the bags from the bargeman's waiting hands, passing it up to Norlin "I would think you would be used to it by now. You have made this journey at least a dozen times."
He sighed, plunking down onto one of the crates along the dock "And each time I declare it to be my last!"
She looked down into the frigid water as she stepped to the gangplank "I do not blame you."
"Nimera." Stonehelm offered a steadying hand as she took a step onto the small ramp.
She gave him a grateful nod as she carefully made her way to the edge, taking Norlin's outstretched hand.
Nimera pulled her coat tighter against the damp chill that seemed to engulf the town around them "We should make for the Master's halls once we are finished."
Norlin shook his head, gesturing off beside them "No need."
A tall older man was making this way towards them, a broad smile crossing his face as he stopped in front of them.
"I am Bron, Master of the Lake" He bowed "Thank you both for coming on such short notice, we appreciate your assistance."
Norlin bowed in turn "It is good to see you again Master Bron. This is Nimera."
Bron took her hand "Lady Nimera. Thank you for coming."
She nodded "Of course Master Bron, we are glad to help the people of Lake Town."
Bron looked past them to where Stonehelm was busy unloading the barge "I had thought Master Oin was sending only two healers? The work will not be long, I fear three healers may be excessive."
Nimera shook her head "Stonehelm is merely here to assist us as needed."
Bron motioned to a large weathered building behind them "The medicinal storage is just past the infirmary. Nora, our midwife, has compiled our records for review."
"Lead on." Norlin nodded, falling into step beside the Master
The door to the storage creaked open as Bron pushed the heavy door open.
"These are the last six years on record." He gestured to a stack of weathered volumes stacked on one of the tables.
Nimera picked one off of the top and thumbed through it "Thank you Master Bron."
The old man nodded "If you need anything, I will be in counsel just up the road."
Norlin pulled half of the volumes off of the table, setting them down on a gnarled writing desk by the fire.
Nimera spread the remaining books across the table, setting out a blank ledger in front. She paused looking to where Stonehelm stood by the door, shifting his weight uncertainty as he glanced around the room.
"You can take a seat by the fire." She offered "It does not look like Norlin or I will need an assistant after all."
He shook his head.
Nimera drew closer to him, her voice dropping "There is no danger here. I doubt the midwife will come bursting through the door with murderous intent."
He sighed "Very well. But I'll not count that midwife out just yet!"
…
Nimera scanned the last page of the records before scribbling a note in the margins of the ledger beside her.
Across the room Norlin closed the book in front of him with a loud snap "I will hand it to that midwife of theirs, she keeps better records than most of our own healers!"
Nimera nodded, shuffling the papers on the desk into an organized pile "I will admit I did not have high hopes for these records. I expected this to take well into the night."
Norlin scraped back in his chair "There is only one thing for it then." He nodded to where Stonehelm sat propped by the fire "That lad has had nothing to do all day except listen to our quills scribble, he deserves a drink."
Stonehelm perked up at Norlin's words "If that is what the healer orders, who am I to argue?"
Norlin clapped him on the shoulder "Good lad. I know just the place- best tavern in all of Lake Town!"
…
Stonehelm looked up at the weathered building in front of them. The door to the tavern lulled open on broken hinges, giving a small glimpse into the dimly lit interior.
He turned, giving Nimera a skeptical look "This is the best tavern in Lake town?"
Nimera nodded, side stepping as a man was unceremoniously tossed out of the open tavern door. "It is Norlin's favorite."
"Aye," Norlin grinned, the beads in his beard clattering as he nodded. He turned towards the door "She may not look like much but inside is the best ale in town."
Nimera leaned in closer to Stonehelm "That is to say it is the only ale in town that does not taste like someone pissed in well water."
Stonehelm gave one last leery look up at the peeling paint and cracked windows before blowing out a sigh "Lead on then my Lady."
The din outside of the tavern was nothing compared to the near deafening cacophony inside. All around men were shouting and laughing, cards and ale flying up through the air.
Norlin motioned them over to where he sat, three pints waiting on the table in front of him.
Nimera collapsed into the chair opposite him, taking a long pull of the draft.
Stonehelm did the same, blanching as he set his tankard back down "Hammer and stone are you sure this is not the piss well tavern?"
"You are just not used to the way men brew ale." Norlin took another pull from his pint "It is not bad once you get used to it."
Stonehelm frowned "I do not think I want to get used to it!"
"We will need to work on expanding your palate." Nimera paused, handing back two playing cards that had been accidentally flung on to their table to the man behind them.
Norlin tapped the rim of his glass "We will have to get you to try some elvish wine, it is a wicked drink to be sure."
"Aye, that elvish stuff will knock you right out of your britches if you are not careful!" Nimera laughed
Stonehelm smiled into his cup, "My lady, if you wanted to knock me out of my britches you need only ask."
Nimera sputtered on her ale, Norlin howling with laughter as she coughed down the rest of the drink.
Stonehelm looked down at the spilled ale on the table "It looks like you are in need of another drink."
He pushed back from the table, sifting his way through the swelling crowd.
"He is right." Norlin sighed, swirling the pale gold liquid in his cup "Men really do need to learn how to make better ale."
Nimera tilted her own glass forward, feeling a small bubble of warmth beginning to spread from her chest "It does the job fine enough. Besides, soon we will be back to the finest malt dwarves can brew."
"Thank Auel for that."
Stonehelm set six flagons on the table "I got us all a spare. I do not wish to be facing that throng again anytime soon!"
Nimera looked up from her drink. The tavern was nearly bursting at the seams with patrons.
"What is wrong?" Nimera elbowed Stonehelm who watched the growing crowd with apprehension
He shook his head "This is not quite the safe environment that Lord Dawlin had in mind for this journey."
Nimera shrugged "It is a tavern in a town of men. They are always like this."
"Aye, relax and enjoy your drink." Norlin set a deck of cards on to the table top, shuffling them between his thumbs.
"You had best keep an eye on him." Nimera announced, gesturing to Norlin "He'll look at your cards every chance he gets."
Norlin shrugged, "I am simply making you a better card player."
She rolled her eyes, placing two cards down on top of his "Auel made you too silver tongued to be a healer, surely you would be better suited to being a merchant master or a lord."
"Ah it is a shame my morals are too high for either." Norlin reached for a fresh pint "No offense to you of course Lord Stonehelm."
Stonehelm waved him off as he took up a new card "None taken. I have met many lords and their silver tongues."
Nimera tapped her chin in thought as she studied the cards laid out on the table.
A smile crept on to her face "Well lads its been nice…."
She moved to lay the cards on the table, staring in bewilderment as the wooden top disappeared from under her, leaving her staring at her own boots.
The man who was thrown into their table righted himself from the debris, flinging back into the crowd.
Stonehelm uttered an oath as shouts rose up around them.
Nimera looked over to Norlin who was already rising from his seat "Perhaps it would be best if…"
He was cut off as a man tumbled into him, knocking him out of his chair.
Norlin growled, pulling the man off of him. The man cursed, grabbing Norlin by the lapels. The young dwarf reared back, smashing his head into the man's face.
The man let go instantly, his hands flying to his nose.
Nimera felt a hand on her arm. She turned away from Norlin expecting to see Stonehelm behind her.
An older man sneered down at her, his eyes unfocused with drink. He pulled her towards him, his other hand latching onto her bicep.
She let out an indignant grunt as she brought the heel of her boot down onto the man's foot.
The man yelped, letting her arm go. Nimera swung a fist into the man's chest, attempting to free her other arm. The man stumbled slightly but held his grip.
Nimera frowned as a younger man came beside the first. She looked around for Norlin and Stonehelm, but their chairs had been swallowed up by the throng of people.
The older man tried to pull her forward, as the second caught her free arm by the wrist.
Nimera brought her foot down hard onto his knee, pushing it backwards at an odd angle. The man buckled sprawling onto the floor with a howl of pain.
She winced as the other man tightened his grip on her wrist, wrenching her arm as he dragged her closer.
"That was my brother." He seethed
Nimera huffed iritibly, moving to bring her knee to his chest, the man read her actions too quickly. He pressed his boots down on her foot, trapping her where she stood.
She swung her free hand out, just managing to catch the man across the chin. The man's eyes widened as he violently swung to the ground, blood pouring from his face.
Nimera watched the man crash to the floor, looking down at her fist in surprise.
Another hand closed around her arm, drawing her attention back. She brought her fist up again.
Stonehelm stepped in front of her, wiping the blood from his fist onto the hem of his shirt as he glared down at the man, who lay in the wreckage of a nearby chair.
Stonehelm turned his attention to her "We need to leave."
Nimera nodded, noticing for the first time the brawl that was seemingly engulfing the tavern around them.
"Wait," She stepped back, "We need to find Norlin!"
He shook his head "Norlin ducked out through the back. We need to go."
He drew her closer to him, leading into the throng. Bodies crashed into each other at all angles, jostling the sea of people around them.
Nimera could feel sweat prickeling at the back of her neck as the air around them became hot and stifled as the crowd pressed in tighter. Stonehelm wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her firmly to his chest, his other arm lashing out at any form that blocked their path forward.
The cold night air struck her like a bucket of ice water as they stumbled out of the tavern door and into the street. Nimera looked up in surprise as he continued to lead them forward, not stopping until they were well away from the tavern.
She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cool night air.
"You sure do know how to show a lady a good time."
Stonehelm's posture relaxed slightly at her remark, as he sat down on one of the abandoned craits.
"I told you." He panted "It is my hobby."
"We really need to find you a new hobby." Nimera shook her head, taking a seat beside him. "I have heard needle point is very rewarding."
He chuckled "I do not think I should give it up just yet. Considering you seem prone to choosing the seediest drinking establishments on all of Middle Earth."
"If you think this is bad you should see the inns on the South Downs. There are some even the rangers pass on by."
"Ah both out in one piece I see." Norlin stopped in front of them, putting his hands on his knees as he took a few panting breaths
"I do not think it was us you needed to worry about being in one piece Norlin." Stonehelm laughed, "I could swear I saw you throw a chair at one man."
Norlin looked slightly abashed. "Aye, well he spilled my last ale."
"I think it is best if we turn in for the night, we should make for Dale at first light." Nimera cast a glance at Stonehelm "Unless you wish to have another go at your hobby of course. We can always go back."
He shook his head "Mahal no."
…
Norlin was beginning to look greener than usual as the boat made its slow approach to the dock.
Nimera patted his shoulder "Almost done."
He shook his head "Not soon enough!"
Movement on the dock pulled her attention from the sickly healer. Balin stood at the edge of the deck, waving as they moored beside him.
"Balin!" Nimera smiled, taking his outstretched hand
"Good to see you lass. I trust your trip was successful?"
Nimera nodded "Aye, the people of Lake Town will be well stocked for the winter."
She turned to take her bag from Norlin "I am surprised Thorin let you out of his sight long enough to meet us. I would think you would need to be surgically removed from his side!" She laughed
"Aye, Luckily for me Dale has a fine surgeon."
Nimera jumped as Thorin's voice drawled from behind her.
"Thorin!" She turned to face him, stumbling into a hasty bow "I trust your meetings went well."
Thorin raised an eyebrow "They did indeed. Was the master of the lake satisfied with your assessment?"
She nodded "He was."
"We should rejoin the others and begin our return." Balin advised looking up at the midmorning sun
"Aye." Thorin nodded, turning from the dock "Balin with m…"
He stopped shooting a glance back at Nimera before clearing his throat "I will meet you at the envoy Balin."
Nimera coughed, trying to cover up her laugh as he turned away from them.
Balin chuckled as he took her arm in his "Perhaps it really did require a healer to extricate me from Thorin's side."
…
Fili synced the clasp tight as he secured the bag to the side of his saddle, giving a testing tug for good measure.
"Do not look so pensive, lad." Oin called as he shuffled past, the old healer's robes flapping behind him. "You did well, there is no doubt of it."
Fili felt a sense of self satisfaction as he looked at the town around him. Thorin had tasked him with leading the delegation, and his efforts had been met with good result. He squared his shoulders, tugging on the lapel of his coat in an attempt to make the collar lay flat.
"Oh come now Oin, We are headed back to Erebor!"
Fili turned as he heard Nimera's exasperated voice float through the din around him.
Oin pushed a white robe into Nimera's arms, wagging a finger at her "It is tradition, you should be proud to wear these robes lassie."
She scowled at the old healers retreating back "I'll show you right where you can put your tradition." Fili heard her grumble.
He stepped from beside his pony, watching with amusement as she attempted to pull the robe over her head as she walked, grumbling all the while.
Her hands groped the top of the garment, her head still lost in its depths.
Fili chuckled, putting out a hand to stop her while the other undid the small clasp at the top of the robe.
Nimera's head popped into view. "Fili!" She smiled catching sight of him
"Oin certainly has… eclectic tastes to be sure." He smirked, watching as Nimera attempted to distribute the bunched up fabric around her.
Nimera gave an exasperated sigh "I plan on burning this the moment he looks away."
He stooped over, beginning to work the fabric of her sleeve loose from inside itself. "At least take the thing off before you do so."
She shook her head pulling her hair from the depths of the robe "I may lose my temper before I manage to get it off!"
Fili worked the last bit of fabric loose, smoothing it out "Better?"
"Much." She nodded.
"Wait." She put a hand out as he straightened
She pushed up on her toes, her fingers gently wrapping around the side of the silver band around his head.
"It is all lopsided now." She said, gingerly righting the circlet. "Better?"
He put a hand to the band "Much."
