The next few weeks of summer had seen most of Erebor preparing for the upcoming winter months. Denin had made a winter coat and cloak with hoods made for her at a request placed by Thorin the day after Durin's Day.

They had all fallen into a routine of spending meals together, and Shobha had a timetable dividing her between her lessons with the younglings, work with Bifur and Oin, and training. The evenings were spent with her either reading, talking to Thorin or the two of them silently watching the fire in his library. He could imagine spending a lifetime doing this… and had even let himself imagine her, perhaps with a raven haired youngling or two in her lap or playing on the floor. She seemed to take comfort in their time together too. And he wondered whether she felt the same way.

As the days were fast growing shorter, the class of dwarflings had spent less and less time playing outdoors. And today they were told, much to their disappointment that they would no longer play outdoors until spring began once more. So they had all pulled on their capes and run outside dragging Shobha along for their final playtime outdoors.

There were no flowers in bloom, but the younglings enjoyed chasing each other, and their enthusiasm had not waned for pulling Shobha along.

It was a dull afternoon, with a slight chill in the air. She didn't like how dusk was beginning to roll in, and looked around as the children ran around still enjoying what little light there was. She looked around to find the tutors, Master Lindin and Master Rowan, who were disciplining several younglings at two ends of the field. And then she spotted it, a faint dark movement from afar. But there were several of these shadows and they were moving towards them, and at speed. She screwed her eyes to try and decipher the shapes better – they looked like black dogs. Wild dogs or wolves?

"Run everyone!" She screamed. "Inside! Now! Wolves!"

The older children did not need to be told twice. And the two tutors were gathering the younger children, pulling them along all holding hands.

"Get the guard!" Lindin bellowed, running as he carried four or five younglings.

She could see the shapes bounding closer, and scanned the grass for any stragglers. At a farther end, there frozen to the spot was one of the smaller, quieter members of the class, her cape flapping in the wind and a shock of bright red curls. She stood by two baskets that had been used to hold balls and other outdoor toys for the group.

"Lena! Run darling! Run!" Shobha screamed running towards her. But she remained fixed to the spot, eyes wide with terror looking at the dark shapes running at them.

She reached her quickly and grabbed her, turning the little girl to her. "Look at me darling! We have to run." Lena nodded. "Climb on my back and hold on to me no matter what ok. I promise to keep you safe." Lena did as she was told, but the animals were gaining fast. Shobha grabbed the two empty baskets, one in each hand, as Lena clung to her back, legs wrapped around her waist and arms around her shoulders. Fortunately Lena was still very small and light enough for her to run with. She had started school early and was very clever, although quiet.

Shobha began running towards the guard at the gate, who were running towards them, weapons poised and would be moments away from them. But there was snarling close behind.

"Behind us!" Lena screamed as she looked over her shoulder.

Shobha realised they would not make it to the guard, and the closer the animals got the more likely they would try to pounce, bringing them both down. She would have to stand her ground and protect Lena until the guard reached them. She spun around.

"Don't get down Lena! Don't let go." She said calmly and firmly. "I will keep them away from you – I promise."

Shobha put her arms in the baskets, using the handles to make them into makeshift shields – at this point any barrier between the teeth and claws would be better than none. The heavy footfall of the guards were right behind. But the dogs were at them now snarling and readying to leap up. She waved the baskets at them, and then the one in the centre leapt up latching its teeth on the woven basket. She kicked it as hard as she could underneath the basket-shield and it howled as it let go pulling a large part of the woven basket in its mouth, and a large part of Shobha's cape and dress sleeve with it. She backed away more, as the second dog leapt up snapping its jaws and missing her. She was able to land another kick as it fell howling, but recovering back onto its feet rapidly.

The guard were around them in that instant and killing the dogs quickly and efficiently.

"We need to get you in my lady." Two of the rear guard said trying to lift Lena off her back. Lena refused to let go screaming, so Shobha then swung her to her front and carried her back, escorted by the guard as they moved straight to the infirmary.

"Are you hurt Lena?" She asked hugging her.

"No Shobha. But you are..." she hugged Shobha back tightly. "And I wont leave you until Master Oin has seen to you."

So there they sat in the infirmary, Oin cleaning the bites on her forearm to one side, and Lena on her lap giving her intermittent hugs.

Within moments of arriving and Oin starting to tend to her wounds – Bombur and Elin burst through the curtain to her bay.

"Oh my baby!" Elin cried rushing straight to the youngling, picking her up and kissing her face. Bombur gave them both a hug in his broad arm span, relief flooding his face.

She hadn't realised Lena was Bombur and Elin's daughter. Up to now Lena was just the bright, quiet, pretty little girl, who sat next to her, and the youngest in the class. But now seeing them together, the bright red locks and the pretty face – she was certainly Elin's daughter!

"Oh Shobha!" Elin cried with tears of joy. "Thank you so much for keeping our Lena safe."

"Amad, she carried me on her back! And held those animals back when they leapt for me!" Lena exclaimed, her big green eyes growing wider.

"Oh my sweet – you are alright now," Bombur consoled. "We cant thank you enough my lady."

There was another commotion in the main bay outside. Thorin had stormed in and they could hear him speaking to the tutors.

"There will be no more trips outside! And why were you out so close to dusk without even a guard?" He continued over the stammers and stutters of the two tutors. "How many injured?"

"How many- I asked?! Any children?"

"Maybe you should give him a heads up Bombur…" Oin spoke, gesturing for them to leave him in peace. "Its lucky you were there lass…Thorin will have Lindin and Rowan's beards, I expect. Can't blame him. If not him the parents of the younglings will do worse to 'em."

"You cant blame them Master Oin," she winced as he examined the injuries. "You wouldn't have expected it."

Thorin burst in through the curtains, face clouded with worry. He walked straight over to Shobha and gently began examining her face, free arm, trunk and legs for injuries.

"I'm fine Thorin – Oin is sorting my arm. The guards were moments away." She tried to calm him down.

"Dwalin is inspecting them now. But he thinks they were trained hunting dogs." He explained. "This was a planned attack. And they were most likely released at the moment when everyone was most distracted."

"Oh goodness!" she looked horrified. "So it could have been much worse…"

"If you hadn't been there – yes."

"But whyyyy – ow!" She winced again.

"Stay still lass!" Oin yanked her arm down.

"I don't know."

They heard more people enter the infirmary.

"Where's the King?" Glóin and Balin had arrived.

"In here – " Thorin called. As they stepped through the curtain carefully, and looked at Shobha sadly.

"Oh lass –" Gloin began.

"I'm fine. And more importantly the younglings are safe and unhurt. What else has happened?"

"The treasury and our family apartment was broken into." Gloin concluded. "Mara was in the market and Gimli at training – thank Mahal."

"So it was a distraction then." She frowned.

"Here's your tonic," Oin passed a small vial. "You WILL be back tomorrow morning, first thing, to have those changed. And Balin will call me if you get a fever overnight."

"Come I will walk you back," Thorin concluded. "Balin and Gloin – take an inventory to make sure nothing is missing. I will be there as soon as Shobha reaches her room."

"I can walk myself…"

"I would feel better if I made sure you were safe."

They walked back in silence, Thorin brooding and Shobha wondering what he was brooding about. As they reached her door, he turned to her.

"I worry you are no longer safe here." He began with a pained look. "Once again you put yourself in harms way to protect another… and while everyone is grateful, it troubles me deeply. I should be your protector and you have been hurt several times since arriving in Erebor."

"No – I will not be safer elsewhere. There is no need for you to be concerned…"

"Is my concern for you so repugnant..?"

She looked at him. "What are you asking of me Thorin? Would you have me leave then…?"

"There you are!" Dis interrupted, calling down the corridor as she briskly walked up. "Thorin – Balin needs you in the treasury at once! I will look after Shobha – unless you are planning to help the girl get undressed?!"

He continued to hold her gaze, despite the interruption, boring into Shobha's eyes, and the anger being given away in hers.

"I said are you going to help Shobha get undressed then Thorin? Or are you going to see what Balin wants to show you in the treasury?!" she repeated firmly. "Shobha dear, go in and I will be in shortly to help you – you wont be able to get out of your clothes with that bandaged arm."

Dis sounded like she meant business, so Shobha complied. "Goodnight Thorin." She whispered, as he bowed his head and turned to face Dis.

She closed the door behind but could hear them argue.

"You cant speak to her like she is your possession Thorin," Dis spoke. "You have to appreciate the courage she has shown – she is not some doll to be kept away in a toy box of a castle- and you would not find her so alluring if she were."

"I will not have her come to any harm – It would destroy me!"

"Have you told her how you feel about her Thorin?"

"She knows how I feel – "

"No! You have to make you intentions to her known properly."

"But she gave me flowers… I gave her a necklace"

"She didn't know the meaning of the flowers – and you claimed the necklace was from us all!

"But she has to choose…"

"No Thorin! You have to declare your intentions clearly… and then let her choose. What do you fear brother? Rejection…? I believe she feels the same way… by the grace of Mahal she did not leave this time, but unless you have the courage to ask.."

Shobha stepped away from the door. She did not wish to hear anymore. She collapsed into the armchair by the fireplace heavily and began removing her boots one at a time. She felt foolish for having thought he liked her. If he truly liked her, there would be no reason to hesitate. And why would a brave warrior such as Thorin want to send her away even if for her own protection, for surely no one would be able to protect her as he would? No, she was resolved that the hesitation was borne of some other reason. Perhaps he felt unwanted affection from her part, and was swept up in the flattery. Either way, she would leave if he asked her to. But to Rivendell and then from there, back home.

She had managed to wash her face and shower herself partially, keeping most of her bandaging intact when Dis finally came through. She carried a tray of tea and biscuits through and set it on her side table. Then after helping Shobha into her nightgown, she sat on the end of her bed and brushed out her hair for her. It was gentle and comforting.

"Dis – will you tell me about Dwarven courting rites," she finally broke the silence.

"Oh I am sorry – did you hear all that?"

"No – just the start. It's a bit hard not to, given how loud you were both arguing."

"He really cares for you Shobha. Its just Thorin is very guarded," Dis explained. "He has lost so much."

"At least he has you, Fili and Kili and the company." Shobha concluded, the fire in her now burning. "I have no-one here. And he would have me sent away to somewhere with people I don't know. Gandalf said once I have served my purpose, I will be able to return. Well, I have told everything to Thorin, and I hope I have been helpful in these recent attacks. So maybe I have served my purpose here at Erebor…"

"He is being irrational. He knows no-one will protect you like he can, or the company for that matter. Now do you want to hear about Dwarven courting or not?"

"Yes ok." Shobha deflated.

"Well as you have already learned, only one third of our population is female. So the dams are protected even more than the gold and gems, and the birth of a daughter is a great achievement… but that also means that ultimately it is a dam that has to choose."

"So you have to court the dwarrow…?"

"Oh no! A dwarrow must make his intent to court clear, but the final say about whether this is reciprocated or the betrothal accepted lies with the dam."

"Oh I see… and what about if a dwarrow were to leave their betrothed…?"

"Oh no dear that never happens. You see we have a One. Most will be happy in life to be surrounded by their craft and their family… the few who are blessed, find themselves pulled to another. It cannot be explained. This is their One. It is different for everyone." She handed Shobha a cup of tea. "My husband Vili, was a soldier, he came from the working classes, and initially I was hesitant. And he did everything he could to convince me to let him court me. I declined him on many occasions.. But he was always thoughtful and kind and gentle, like Fili. In fact my older son reminds me so much of my husband. Mahal created my older son in my husbands image."

Shobha placed her unbandanged hand on Dis' shoulder. "You don't need to talk about it if you don't want to…"

"No its fine. It was so long ago now…" she continued. "But once the dwarrow declares his intention to court in no uncertain terms– it is the dam that must decide to accept or not. Accepting the proposal of courting, also means you are then betrothed to that dwarrow. It is so rare to find your One, that when we do, that a betrothal always ends in marriage. There is no break in the relationship, and certainly no unfaithfulness."

"What if you find you don't love that dwarf and it was not what you thought…"

"It is unlikely that you would feel the Pull if that were the case."

"Of course." She began to understand.

"It does not mean there are no political or arranged marriages between those who do not share the pull. Our grandfather and grandmother were such an arranged marriage. For the purposes for producing an heir and safeguarding the line of Durin. But even they were dutifully faithful to each other."

"And how do you know someone's intent to court you…?"

"They must clearly ask you – or I suppose, kiss you and then ask you. Giving flowers shows your favour…"

"Oh! Eeeek!" she cringed. "No wonder her looked at me like he had soiled himself that day!"

"I would actually argue that you must have felt a subconscious pull. Because Dwalin and Balin, who are your kin were there, but you gave them none."

Shobha couldn't help but be impressed at how Dis had been made aware of this particular incident, including all the details.

"Can those who are not dwarves feel this pull?" Shobha was thoughtful about it.

"I see why not… If Mahal and the Valar wish it."

"And it is possible or acceptable to find your One among other races, such as the Eldar or men?"

"Well generally it is not questioned if you find your One… as many do not. So it is accepted as a gift from Mahal."

"And how would you accept a proposal to court?" She asked, as Dis looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

"Oh and are you going to be accepting any such offers soon…?" Dis winked.

"Well just in case I do receive such a proposal."

"You would accept it by saying yes, but also courting beads for hair tend to be exchanged. And courting braids or betrothal braids are usually worn."

"That's really beautiful and romantic Dis."