Shobha woke up, covered with blankets and furs. There was a large, warm hand resting on her lower back. She turned over in bed to the fragrance of vetiver and found Thorin, with his face buried in her hair, a mass of grey streaked dark hair merging with hers. He felt her stir and still with his eyes closed he smiled softly and slid his arm further behind her back and pulled her in with ease, pressing her body to the full length of his. She reciprocated running her hand down from his cheek down to his shoulders and his chest, feeling his muscular form and his mass of chest hair. He groaned in response to her touch and pressed her even tighter to his body. They were both naked, and she enjoyed the feel of his hot skin on hers. She felt his desire grow as he pressed himself to her, making her gasp.

"Mmmmm" he claimed her lips passionately and crawled on top of her, staring deep into her eyes. "I think we have enough time to have a repeat of last night…" He breathed into her neck, planting open mouthed kisses on her skin, running his large calloused hand up and down her side and to her thigh. And finally traced his fingers up the inside of her thigh, making her arch her back eliciting a small moan from her parted lips.

"I thank Mahal everyday that you chose to stay…" his groan turning more urgent. "Now shall we recommence our duties to produce Erebor with an heir, my Queen…?"

Shobha sat bolt upright in bed. She was drenched in sweat, panting heavily and confused. The blankets had been thrown all over the place, her long nightgown slid up almost to her thigh, and hair mussed, she must have been moving a lot while dreaming!

What the hell was that dream?! She thought. Her dream had been so vivid – she had never experienced such dreams even with Mike. She felt a lot less turned on after remembering Mike. Ugh!

She lay back down in bed trying calm herself. Gandalf would be here tonight anyway – and it would all be out of her hands, for surely she was breaking some natural law by remaining there in middle earth. But did she actually want to.. choose to… stay?

She threw her hands over her face and groaned.

The morning had flown by having breakfast with Dis and Balin. Fili, Kili, Thorin and Dwalin had all made their way down to the arenas to prepare for taking part in the events.

The various tournaments had all run successfully. Kili had won the archery competition, and Thorin had opened the wrestling event, which Kili had gone on to win. Thorin and Dwalin, had opened certain tournaments but not continued, due to the poor political impression it would have should the King and the Head of the Guard were to win anything. They had instead returned all shirtless and sweaty to sit either side of Shobha and Dis. Shobha had noticed the slight grin on Dwalin's face was mirrored by that of Dis and wondered how long they had been denying their feelings for each other.

After the morning they had all returned to their rooms to get dressed in their special Durin's Day dresses and suits. She had found a small package on her dresser.

There was a note:

Dearest Shobha,

Thank you for bringing much happiness and love into our lives. We hope you carry this as a token with you, whatever path you choose to take.

With all our love,

Dis, Fili, Kili and Thorin

She unwrapped the parcel of blue velvet and there inside lay a beautiful filigree gold heart-shaped cage locket filled with brilliantly cut blue sapphires, all on a elegant gold chain. It was so thoughtful and touching. She felt her eyes welling with tears. But she had to push on if she wanted to get dressed and spend as much time as she could with all the dwarves she had grown to love so much before she left.

Dis had been thoroughly pleased with the effect Shobha's sari had when they had arrived together in the great hall. No one had gasped aloud though. And quite rightly so, as many of the other young dwarrow dams had been dressed in equally scandalous dresses, many with cleavage pushed up or plunging necklines, tightened corsets and bodices and open-back dresses.

Thorin had spent a long time talking with Dis while staring at Shobha from top to toe, with an openly appreciative look on his face, making her blush.

They had all then sat together in the great dining hall of Erebor with all its citizens for a large feast in the early afternoon. The food had been plentiful and constantly flowing. For one day everyone had forgotten their troubles. There was laughing and joking and much happy conversation.

Shobha however was beginning to feel a twinge of sadness, for she was expecting that she would return home that evening, in all likelihood. She was neither fond of goodbyes nor proficient at them, and had not prepared. She didn't know how much time she would have to say goodbye, and yet in the short timespan spent in Erebor, she realised that she had made many close friends that she would deeply miss.

As dinner started to wind down and tables were moved to make room for a makeshift dance floor in the centre, she had quickly turned to thank Dis.

"Thank you so much for the gorgeous locket," she said placing her hand on her shoulder. "Its perfect – and I'm sorry I didn't say so sooner."

"Oh! We didn't send you that, my dear… I'm sorry." She looked thoughtfully at the locket sitting around her neck. "It even matches your sari perfectly. Was there a note at all?"

"Yes.. The note said it was from you, Fili, Kili and Thorin… I assumed it was from you as you knew the colours we had selected for the Sari."

"Ah! Sorry my dear.. its not from us – I do suspect its from Thorin. It's surprisingly thoughtful for him too…" A knowing look on Dis' face. "Why don't you ask him yourself? Here he comes…" And with that she spun Shobha around to face Thorin, who had strode over, a soft smile on his face reaching his eyes.

"Would you care to open the dance floor with me?" He extended his hand to her.

"Go on Shobha – that will save me the trouble!" Dis winked and nudged Shobha gently towards him. She took his hand as he led her out on the dance floor. Thorin placed his hand on her bare waist, holding her close as they began to dance. He led exceptionally well and was light on his feet, twirling her around. They both wore navy and gold, and she could feel all eyes on them as they went on – she imagined to everyone watching they must have been a swirling mass of navy and gold and wondered whether that was why Dis had been insistent on those colours for her also. After the initial dance, they were joined by many other couples on the dance floor, which gave them a bit more time to speak.

"You look stunning, those colours become you well," he smiled gazing deeply into her brown eyes.

"Thank you for the locket." She returned his smile, and looked back into his eyes.

"It suits you…" and then his face showed the slightest hint of sadness, which she may not have noticed if not for his openly appreciative smile just moments prior. "And if you choose to return back, then you have a small token to remember us by…"

"It would be hard to forget you," she blushed.

"I hope I didn't make you feel too uncomfortable, the other day at Denin's" he smiled. "But she has done a very good job..I rather like this," He cheekily brushed his thumb on her back where his hand rested.

"Well she's done rather a good job on you too.. You look rather dashing yourself," she blushed.

"Oh has she now..?" his grin lit his entire face, making him appear years younger. It was a rare grin, which Shobha had certainly not seen before. In that moment Thorin realised he would not get another chance. "We do make quite a nice couple… don't you think –"

But Balin and Fili had appeared, interrupting them. "Thorin, you are needed – sorry to interrupt lass."

"I will take over if that's alright?" Fili bowed, and she curtsied back in return. "And then there is Kili, Bofur, Bifur, Dori, and Ori for a few more dances at least."

Thorin smiled hearing this and after exchanging one last glance at each other, he was off, walking away with Balin.