A/N: With the U.K being in current lockdown, I do happen to have a bit more time on my hands. You may see more chapters to come during this period but also know, that I am trying my best to keep my mental state healthy too and although I find that writing gives me something to focus on, I do need to get out of my room, not to mention my house. No matter how hard it looks, so if there are no updates within a couple of days, don't worry, they will be on their way! And with that, here's another and I hope you enjoy.

Loyalty

Kili walks back into Bag End with a smile on his face and lost in thought about our blond-haired Wanderer, completely oblivious to the knowing looks and silly smiles on several older dwarf's faces being sent his way. One stoic face though is amongst them, Thorin. His gaze wonders the smiling faces broodily, they all take not of his own face and quickly disperse themselves out of his sight. Looking back at his youngest nephew, he watches him fondly, as Kili admires a set of oddly crafted wrist guards Thorin has never seen before.

A flash on blond lifts his gaze to his oldest nephew and heir, as he tucks a few weapons away on a roll of fabric on the table, before rolling up the fabric and securing it. Thorin concludes that the bag of weapons belong to Aurora and has no doubt gifted his nephews a few of her own weapons to them. His theory is confirmed, when Fili pulls out a set of knuckle dusters he's never seen before, quickly admiring them too before tucking them back away on his person. At least Fili seems more engrossed in the dusters, where as Kili, still has a smile on his face, directed at something, well, someone else entirely. Thorin sighs to himself, semi recognising the look on his nephews face, he does not want his quest to be jeopardised and takes it upon himself to be the barer of bad news.

Coming upon his younger nephew, Thorin watches as Kili takes care as he stores away his new weapon and gift, none the wiser of his Uncle's presence.

"Is she with us?" Thorin's voice pulls him from his thoughts and he looks up to his Uncle with a question in his eyes.

"Us, yes. You, no. Not with that contract in mind nor the hostility that you harbour towards her." Kili replies casually, relaxing a little as he feels the presence of his brother behind him. Thorin's eyes tighten a little around the corners at the united front before him, a sigh escapes him in defeat.

"You both know that I am not the best at dealing with strangers, nor when they appear into my life quite suddenly. And full of attitude either. I hold no hostility against her. She just happens to know what buttons to press." The Princes' chuckle lowly together as Thorin says the last sentence as an afterthought. "She's strong willed and full of courage, that one is. You can see that clearly and she has her heart in the right place too. I cannot doubt that, but as for her coming on this quest, I will be a bit biased and say, that a quest is no place for a female. Especially one with her heritage, now that it has come to light."

"You weren't very keen on her before we found out about her heritage either Uncle." Fili pipes up and Thorin sighs again, with a tiny hint of annoyance.

"Come with me. Balin? Dwalin? Make sure the others will be ready to leave soon, if our burglar is not up within the half hour, then we must proceed without him. And the lass." Thorin calls to his adviser and guardsman as he motions for his nephews to follow him out of Bag End, he leads them up the small incline that leads to Bilbo's garden. Away from prying ears.

He stops for a moment, taking in the wonder and beauty of Bilbo's garden, the peacefulness that it brings with it. Turning to look at his nephews, they stand, waiting patiently for what he has to say. "Granted, the lass, Aurora." He corrects himself. "Took us all by surprise, last night. Appearing out of nowhere the way she did. In my years as a warrior, there are but a handful who have manage to sneak up on me, whilst I'm off guard, I'm partially to blame for how I responded to her appearance. I certainly did not anticipate her nor the others that have snuck up on me." The brother's take in his words with stony faces, though they have hints of emotion in their eyes.

"Two of which, happen to be standing right in front of me." He says, teasingly, a small smile on his face as he does so, thus commencing a very rare scene to happen between the siblings and Uncle, outside of their home that is, dwarves are very private.

"Don't know who you are referring to Uncle. Do you Kee?" Fili's face gives away nothing, a fake bout confusion on his face as he asks his brother.

"Can't say that I do Fee, though they must've been very skilled beings, these two attackers." Kili suggests.

"Aye, to take Uncle by surprise too. Who'd have thought that that day would come, we must praise them!" Fili replies in honest, though Kili's cheeks twitch with the need to smile, making Fili's lips twitch the slightest. These slight movements don't go unnoticed by their Uncle, who can only fight back his own smile at their antics.

"Indeed, we must, say Uncle? Would you grace us with their names?" Kili asks, feigning curiosity and fake innocence crosses his face as he pleads with his Uncle.

"You know fine well that it was you's two." Thorin admits begrudgingly, subtly looking around to make sure no-one is listening and can use this information against him. "I can dare say that I've learnt two things when it comes to you two. One, to never leave you two alone or with each other and two, to never assume that just because it goes quiet that you are not up to something." Thorin say, an indignant look on his.

"He makes it out like that's a bad thing brother!" Kili replies back, fighting a smile.

"Need I remind you of the incident in the mines?" Thorin fires back, a stern but gently look in his eyes.

"We agreed to forget!" Fili replies, somewhat offended that his Uncle would even dare to bring up said incident, regardless as to how many years ago it was now.

"And yet, somethings never change with you two." Thorin counters back.

"You wouldn't have us any other way Uncle." "He loves it really." Thorin chuckles lightly at their replies, smiling warmly at them, portraying a whole different side to the person that he was earlier this morning.

"Aye, it's true." A heavy sigh escapes Thorin's lips and he looks at his nephews, the closest thing his has to sons. He begins taking in this moment, of their happy faces and cheerfulness, knowing that this quest will change them, in many ways more than one. "And it is with heavy heart, that I ask this of you as this quest will not be easy, not by a long shot and may seek comfort in what you can during it." The brother's happy demeanours drop.

"I had not anticipated you volunteering yourselves, nor for your mother to allow it. And a part of me wants to send you back to the Blue Mountains." He says, preparing himself for their protests and holding a hand to silence them before they can start. "I know that you will fight me, however, and say that your place is with me. That it is your duty to follow me and fight for your people. It is how I've raised you, along with your mother, it's how I've taught and trained you. I know this. And therefore will not send you away."

"We'd fight you every step of the way Uncle." Kili stands up to his Uncle, ready for the fight.

"This burden is not yours to bare alone." Fili firmly says. "We are your nephews, yes, but we are the Crowned Princes' too, it would go against our honour and our word, if we did not follow you."

"We knew the moment you asked the others if they would follow you, we know this quest will not be easy, else we'd have the mountain back by now already. Army or not. We also know the possibilities that we may never make it to the mountain nor long enough to see our people walk those halls again." Kili agrees sadly but with a fierce gaze to his eyes. "Everything you've taught and raised us by, has led to this moment and we will be with you every step of the way."

Thorin smiles, proudly, at the two male dwarf's in front of him. His nephews, his grown nephews. In this moment, he doesn't see the two dwarflings who caused chaos in the Blue Mountain and strike more fear and concern within him, than he'd like to admit. A fiery warmth fills his heart and tears prick his eyes before his composes himself.

"But Uncle, you must remember too, that this quest will test us, all of us. You need to consider that and what's best for this company. The mountain will stand, probably until the end of time. Dragon or not. But we, will not. You must consider not what's best for you, or this quest. But for all of us. Gandalf and Bilbo included. And by extension Aurora too, she deserves her place on this quest and with the company. As an equal." Fili states, holding his ground too.

"If not more, I've heard the stories and rumours Uncle, even you can't deny that you haven't. Several of them have been told to us by you. She's, she's something else." Kili smiles to himself. "An incredibly good something else. And I have no doubt, that she will do anything for us, whether we ask that of her or not."

"With what knowledge we already knew of her as the Varekan and of her as the person we saw last night and now with her heritage spoke of this morning thrown into the mix, even you must admit that we need her." Kili nods enthusiastically with his brother's words, obviously in agreement. "But you also know that we cannot leave her here. It goes against every custom, every bone in my body, everything that you've taught us if we do." Kili nods even more, any faster and harder and he's bound to hurt himself.

"I know son, my feelings aside and all. I will admit that she is right about everything. And so are you." Another heavy sigh and Thorin rubs a hand over his face, he then stares off. Looking over the rich green, rolling hills of the Shire. And it's gentle folk residing in it, oblivious to the world outside of their hills. "It's clear that she has her own mind, is stubborn to say the least and will not be too happy if we tell her that she cannot continue with what she is doing for this world."

"Something tells me, if you were to say those words to her, next time round she wouldn't just have you pinned so easily up against the wall again Uncle, I fear it will be worse." Fili comments, smirking before looking to his brother, who is deep in thought. "Kili?" Thorin also turns his gaze to his younger nephew, who's brows are furrowed heavily, with deep thought.

"Something tells me, that she would've found us, out on the road, that is. With Bilbo. If she hadn't have come home early. And no doubt either killed us or given us hell for it." Kili comments before looking off in the direction that Aurora had left in, this morning. "I overheard her saying that she was called back home, by a higher power. I think she's meant to be here Uncle." Kili summarizes. "I think she was sent to us." A hum of agreement from Fili registers in Thorin's ears. "Not us, personally, but us as in the company, this quest. The tales of her, The Varekan, are legendary, no doubt. At first, when I saw her, I thought that there's no way that it to be she."

"We all assumed that The Varekan is male." Fili niggles in.

"Yes, I honestly thought, how can this small slip of a dwarf lass, possibly be out there, fighting against evil. All by herself. But then she showed us, her powers. Magic gifted to her through her blood but also from the Gods and Spirits themselves. Not to mention she managed to detain three dwarves. I never thought I'd see the day where a small lass would render my Uncle and not to mention Dwalin of all people, helpless."

"I wasn't helpless." Thorin replies, a look of indignance and disbelief on his face.

"You certainly weren't helpful either." Fili chuckles back.

"And yet she managed to do it, right in front of my eyes. And it made me realise that I truly am, in witness of the very legend herself. If this higher power has sent her this way, to help, then we should honour them and her. On this quest. We must accept that this is who she is, and no amount of laws or customs, or our words, are going to make her change herself or her mind either. She is who she is." Kili simply summarizes.

"Who are we to go against any of the Gods out there, whether they be ours or not. Evidently, she has been given a purpose from them, given this life because of them. We must respect that higher power Uncle; they are not meddling in our affairs they are simply aiding us. And sent her to us. We should be wise and accept that offering and welcome her, alas we upset them." Fili finishes.

"Wise words, from the two of you." Thorin comments. "You are turning into exceptional advisors. And her champions it seems."

"Well- I-." Kili stutters, a flush crossing his cheeks as he rubs the back of his neck.

"What Kili means to say is, from what we've made of her. She's given no reason for us not to trust her." Blush still gracing his cheeks, Kili mutters in agreement. "She's put herself out there, voluntarily made herself vulnerable to us. Offered her services to the company. She has everything that you asked of us at the beginning of our journey. Loyalty, honour, and a willing heart. She's loyal, not to us, but this world Uncle. Respect her for that."

"What reasons has she given you to warrant distrust in her?" Kili asks plainly and even Fili raises an eyebrow at his brother before turning to his Uncle with the same expression, curiosity in his eyes.

"Aside from her not being a hobbit, was my initial dislike and the fact she snuck in. But I soon realised that there's more to her than she has originally let on. There's no doubt as to her heritage, she has dwarf blood running through her veins."

"But."

"But there is also something else there too, I can't quite make out what else. I am not sure what other race runs through her veins. And it troubles me."

"But surely Uncle, you will not judge her on that. Not for what she's already done to this world. For all of us. Are we not part of this world too?" Kili asks solemnly, when Thorin looks to him with emotionless eyes, his face hardens. "Because I will not judge her for that and that alone. If that is all, I need to start packing." Kili turns then, his shoulders set as he begins walking back towards the door.

"KILI!" Thorin calls for him, it's not necessarily as shout, but a command. Kili stops immediately but does not turn, however his head tilts slightly in acknowledgment.

"I do not give out my trust easily, if the Baggins' chose to join us on this quest, I will judge them then. If they prove themselves, they will earn it. As well as my respect." Kili nods subtly but does not move, his shoulders still set. "You must also heed this; I cannot afford to have either of your heads being turned." Fili freezes. The slight breeze tickling his hair and beard, his braids sway gently. "I need you sharp, not to be distracted by her. And I don't mean that in the sense of her warrior and Guardian status." The hints enough for Kili to straighten to his full height but still, he never turns, for fear of his uncle seeing his true emotion through the expression on his face.

"You are to be true to this quest. To commit all your energy to it. You know this is paramount to our people, I will not have you squandering that, for her." Thorin finishes firmly, though with heavy heart, he knows that this moment is pivotal, vital. His nephews are still young, still prone to foolishness and he will not lose them to a pretty face. Or the distractions that comes with a female.

"You take it too far now Uncle." Fili growls softly and Thorin's eyes shift to him with hidden surprise. "We respect this quest and the burden it carries. We know the significance and the impact it will have to our people. Do not question our loyalty to that or them. Insinuating otherwise is an insult to us as well as Aurora." Thorin nods curtly, his eyes hard.

"Kili?" He calls to his younger nephew, who's figure shakes a little with his contained anger.

"You have my word. I will stand by this quest. Until I am no longer required." You can here the strain behind every word. Can see it in the shake of his shoulders. Thorin hums. Neither happy nor upset by Kili's words. The sound, however, is enough for Kili, who shakes his head a little before dismissing himself and storming off. His brother not far behind him.

Thorin sighs, closing his eyes for a moment as he calms himself. This was by no means, an easy feat for him. To confront his nephews and crush any potential relationship. Romantic or not. They did not give out their loyalties to just anyone.

They take after him for that.

But until he discovers the truth behind his theory of what else runs through the girl's veins. He needs them to keep their wits about them. He cannot lose them to her whether her intentions with them are good or not, and if she potentially shares the same feelings as his younger, carefree nephew does. He could not risk it.

They were his nephews, and it is responsibility to protect them, they are still young, that have only ever known right or wrong from their elders. And though, they show maturity and wisdom in certain ways, they still know little of the world. And the powers of persuasion, especially when used by a female.

Opening his eyes again, he makes his way back to the door, already hearing the hustle and bustle of his company as the ready to leave. A mask covers his face again, one he's learnt to put on to protect himself, shielding himself again and readying him for what is to come.

Shuffling through the door, he acknowledges those packed and ready to go. With a nod to them and then a quick head tilt to the door, he walks away to collect his own things, whilst the others take his hint and head off.

"I've taken the liberty, of rewriting that contract for you, I just need you to sign." Balin informs him the minute he steps through the arch of the kitchen. With a sideward glance at him, Thorin fills his waterskin up before turning to his adviser, with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh?" He says and Balin tuts back at him, shaking his head as a sigh leaves him.

"Really?" Thorin's feels a hint of a smirk creeping onto his face at Balin's weary expression. "Just sign it Thorin, trust me on this!" Balin begs lightly.

"I trust you, but not her."

"Not yet, so trust me, I can vouch for her." Balin pleads.

"I will not have it."

"Thorin! I know the lass."

"You knew Briella not Aurora."

"Same lass, different name, different time. Her heart is still in the same place. I will vouch for her Thorin, trust me. For old time sakes." Balin waves the contract out in front of him, from his seated position at the kitchen table. "Please." The sad sigh that escapes afterwards moves Thorin. He's known Balin for all his life, and yet, has never had him plead to him like he is now. For a stranger, no less.

"If anything is to happen with her or to this quest because of her, I will hold you responsible, do I make myself clear?" Thorin agrees but commands firmly.

"So be it." Balin agrees tiredly. "And if something does happen, it will not be for the worse or so you assume it of her. She might surprise you and maybe, you might surprise yourself, not everyone you meet is a bad person Thorin."

A hum leaves Thorin's lips as Balin places a quill and the new contract onto the table and leaves Thorin to it, not before placing Bilbo's down on top of a small table next to the window. Thorin watches from the corner of his eye as he sets both hands against the kitchen table, either side of the contract, as he leans forward to inspect it.

"Will Mister Baggins be joining us?" Thorin asks, looking at the contract but not actually reading it.

"He hasn't left his bedroom since he entered it last night." Thorin nods subtly and Balin takes that as his cue to leave.

Thorin stands there, looking but not really looking, pondering on Balin's words. His thought process switching from him to his nephews just moments prior, to this morning, when the very lass in question managed to disarm and pin him within seconds. To then her own words.

"Who are you Thorin?... I would've followed him because he was worth following… You are not him and you are not my King. And I will not follow you." Her words swirl around his mind, repeating and repeating until he blinks and looks properly at the contract, immediately he sees Balin's signature.

"Trust me." Balin's voice sounds in his mind, as if to act as a reminder to him. Thorin sighs, before leaning back and up to his full height again. He looks to move away before another voice enters his mind:

"I overheard her saying that she was called back home, by a higher power. I think she's meant to be here Uncle. I think she was sent to us. If this higher power has sent her this way, to help, then we should honour them and her. On this quest... We must accept that this is who she is… She is who she is." Kili's voice reminds him of their conversation outside.

"She's given no reason for us not to trust her. She's put herself out there, voluntarily made herself vulnerable to us. Offered her services to the company. She has everything that you asked of us at the beginning of our journey. Loyalty, honour, and a willing heart. She's loyal, not to us, but this world Uncle. Respect her for that." Fili's voice finishes and a whisper of shame passes him for assuming the worst and judging the girl the way he had.

"So be it." He repeats Balin's words from before and signs her contract. Without so much as reading it. Picking up the quill and contract, he places both on the small table with Bilbo's contract, before collecting his belongings and following his company out of the door.

Bilbo still sound asleep and oblivious to what has just transpired in his home.

However, down in the village, a very awake and cheerful Aurora makes her way through the market stalls, collecting and paying for supplies for needs at present, as well as those she will need if she follows on with this quest.

"Aurora! I thought it was you!" She smiles as she lifts her head up, greeting the person who'd just spoken.

"And a good morning to you to Master Worrywart!" She receives a hug from the merry fellow, who once he pulls back, takes her in.

"I thought it was you, running through the streets last night. You looked in a hurry!" He takes to then leaning against his wheelbarrow, full of fresh turnips. "Can't say that I blame you, looked like Bilbo was having a party up there last night, what with all those curious fellows, dwarves I believe." He digs, Worrywart, a known gossiper but a good man at heart, is always fishing for the last scoop to spread around Hobbiton.

"Oh, yes, er distant relatives of mine, they were just visiting, passing through really but they didn't realise that I wasn't due back for a couple of weeks. I just happened to be in the area and seeing as my services are not required at the moment, I thought I'd stop by." She kind of rambles her way through the lie. Worrywart nods his head the entire time, intrigued with the knowledge.

"I see, finally a breakthrough with that memory of yours." He then gestures to my head and I smile wryly.

"Well, sort of. I suppose there's a bit of luck to it all as well. If it weren't for Tony, who mentioned their arrival, I wouldn't have run the way I did. You know, trying to catch them before they left."

"I see." He nods. "Oh, well any more plans then?"

"I'm not too sure, depending on what the day brings. And who knows, I might just be able to make Bilbo come with me." Worrywart laughs at that.

"Oh, now that will be worth seeing!" He chuckles to himself, before picking back up his wheelbarrow. "Say, you haven't seen him this morning?"

"His first time with a merry band of dwarf's. The excitement got to him just a bit too much." She says.

"Ah, that does it. You know, we may love a party, but we can only handle so much." He chuckles to himself as he begins to set off. "You take care now Aurora." He nods as he turns away.

"Will do, will do." She says assuredly, more to herself. Completely forgetting the stall that she was in the middle of buying from, next to her, until its vender calls to her.

"Miss Aurora?" They pull her back to the task at hand and she goes back to the table, picking up small jars and vials that she needs to restock her medical supply before paying and thanking them. Moving on throughout the stalls, she looks back towards the bridge when she hears a familiar laugh. A certain hat pulls her attention to its owner as they walk through the street.

She laughs quietly as she watches as Bofur tells Bifur something, she can recall their names now and pair them with the faces. Bifur signs something back, a bit of a rude gesture by the looks of it and Bofur quickly pats Bifur's hands, desperately looking around to make sure no-one saw the gesture. She shakes her head at his antics. As they continue walking, she notices their trajectory is leading them towards Tony's Inn.

"They're off." She says more to herself as she watches them. The last three members catch her attention. Fili and Kili walk together, away from the others but also ahead of their Uncle. All three faces less than friendly and a young hobbit, one she's familiar with, rushes to them.

"Master Dwarf!" With the others further ahead and partially out of ear shot, the three Durin's turn to the voice that had called them. Willis stands there, his small wooden toy sword held preciously in his arms. Their faces loose their solemn look as they gaze down at the sweet boy in front of them.

"Yes, young Master hobbit?" Both Fili and Kili bend to kneel down to Willis' height whilst Thorin remains up at his. She ignores the chit chatter of the market around her as she zones her senses in on the interaction yards away from her.

"Are you companions of Miss Rosey?" Her cheeks hurt from the smile that spreads across her face at Willis' sweet nickname for her. His voice shy and quiet as he stares up at the large dwarves.

"Miss Rosey?" Kili asks confused for a second, looking towards his brother for confirmation.

"Yes, Miss Rosey! Or you may know her as Miss Aurora. She's watching us, right from over there." Her face drops the moment she hears this, and Willis has the gall to even turn around and point at her, she quickly grabs from the nearest stall by her. Coincidently, she pulls ger hand back to find it holding a book. Quickly flicking through a couple of pages, her nose turning up a little as she realises that it is a romance novel.

"MISS ROSEY!" Willis calls out, her face automatically turns towards his voice. There he is, waving his hand, toy sword and all, faster than Tony with his bell when announcing last orders in the pub. His face brightens as he then turns and points to the brothers still knelt to his level. "LOOK, I FOUND YOUR DWARVES!" Kili looks at the smiling boy in surprise, so much that he loses his balance and topples over, taking his brother with him.

She brings the book to her face, to cover the laugh that escapes her. Willis turns back around at the commotion, quickly pulling the arm of the blond prince and using all his might to bring him back to his feet.

"What happened? Did you fall over?" He questions the brothers, as they brush themselves off.

"Just lost my footing is all." Kili murmurs, looking up at her through his brown locks that cover his blush to her.

"I thought you were supposed to be stealthy warriors?" Another laugh gets smothered by the book and tears prick her eyes because of it. Kili looks positively affronted by the gall of the young boy where Fili stands to his full height, looking very much the crowned prince he is, as he poses.

"We are!"

"Well, you're not doing a very good job of it." This time her laughter rings across the market, several patrons stop at the sound, giving way and clearing a line of sight to the remaining dwarves, who witness her leaning against the book stall, hands and book clutched to her sides as she guffaws. Kili stands to his full height this time, though looking less appalled and more amused as she tries to calm herself.

"She can hear us, can't she?" He asks, looking back down at Willis.

"And see us. She has excellent vision, can spot a needle in a haystack from miles away." A little over embellishment but she'll take it. After she calms herself, she looks to the vender and finds a very unhappy madam looking back at her, she looks back down at the book. Now covered in tear drops and smudged in places.

"I, er, I'll take this one, oh and the one with the herbal remedies please, mine has seen better days now." The vendor gives her the other book and Aurora pays her before placing them in her satchel, one that a vender had kindly given to her for her safe return home. She'd argued with him over payment, but he wasn't having it. "Thank you." She says, wanting to get as far as from her glare as possible.

"Miss Rosey!" Willis waves again and she decide its best to make her way to him, if not to stop any potential fall out with said dwarves. He meets her halfway, running and jumping up into her arms.

"Goodness!" She grunts in surprise as she grasps his sturdy weight, she didn't falter in her steps though and continue towards the dwarves. Reluctantly meeting Kili's gaze once or twice. Thorin steps forward, in between his two nephews and a slight dark look covers the princes' faces for a moment before they school themselves. "Have you been helping yourself to one too many of your mother's cakes again Willis?" She asks and his answer is a cheeky smile in return. She rolls her eyes before righting him on her hip a bit more, he's getting too big for this, but she still indulges him.

"Willis? Is that you, young hobbit?" Thorin asks and Willis ducks under his scrutiny.

"Yes, sir." He replies behind his sword. She narrows her eyes a little at Thorin and he sighs.

"And is that a sword I see there?" Willis brightens immediately, almost throwing himself out of her grasp in his excitement to show Thorin his wooden sword.

"It's not a real sword. Not like Miss Rosey's." He looks to her and she smiles at his face. "She gave me it to practice with, she says I can't have a real sword until I'm older. I need to be big and strong enough so I can fight away the monsters like she does." He puffs his chest out and straightens in her grasp, trying to match the height of Kili, who, in seeing this, ducks a little.

"Well I'd say you're halfway there with how big you are!" He says and Willis giggles at his antics.

"Aye. And with all them cakes too. Be mighty strong soon, show us your muscles young sir!" Fili asks him, raising his own arm and flexing it in front of Willis. The young hobbit basically shoves his sword into Thorin's grasp so he can copy Fili, flexing both arms. "Well, look at those! Mighty strong I'd say!" Aurora chuckles a little. Kili stands back to his height, catching her eye with a little wink.

"What do you think?" Willis turns to Thorin, deflating a little at Thorin's expression.

"What else does Miss, er Rosey say?" There's a small smiling gracing his features as he asks this and Aurora is taken a little bit back by this.

"That I shouldn't go searching for the monsters, especially at night-time. Miss Rosey says that I'm not ready or old enough for that yet and that it's not safe." Thorin hums for a moment, before examining the sword in his grasp. He twists and turns it in several directions and Willis watches every movement with keen attention. Finally, Thorin looks back up at Willis, before handing over the sword.

"That's a fine sword, for a young warrior in training. And you'd be wise in listening to Miss Rosey, you should never go looking for trouble." He smiles, small as it may be, and Aurora watches as Willis brightens, he looks to her and beams.

"Never mind going to look for trouble, he is the trouble!" She says, before quickly grasping his sides and a tickles fest commences.

"NOOO!" He cries out and tries to wriggle from her grasp. Several moments later, and a few chuckles from the Durin's they hear a voice call.

"Willis!" They all turn towards the voice, to find his mother waiting patiently, an eyebrow raised up at them.

"Uh oh. She's got the raised eyebrow. What did you do?" Aurora asks him, tickle fest on hiatus for now.

"She may have not been looking when I came over to see the dwarves. She doesn't like it when I talk to strangers, that's why I thought you knew them, they looked like they were leaving from Mister Bilbo's, I figured if you knew them, then it would be okay."

"Us strangers, but you know us so well Master Willis." Fili says before looking at his brother and then back to Willis. "Fili." He introduces himself.

"And Kili." Kili does too and then in union they bow.

"At your service." They say together and Willis and Aurora giggle at them, they seem pleased with themselves and Thorin shakes his head fondly at them.

"And the grumpy one is Thorin." Thorin gives Aurora a look at that and the brothers chuckle, receiving their own looks from Thorin in turn.

"Why's he grumpy?"

"He probably hasn't had his breakfast yet." Willis gasps in shock.

"You mean second breakfast?"

"Nope. Not even elevenses." Another gasp of horror before there's a determined look on his face, that causes him to begin wriggling, Aurora sets him down and watches as he runs to his mother, she listens as he converses with his mother who begrudgingly allows him to take something from the basket she's holding. A smile widens across Aurora's face and her heart warms at the gesture he's about to make.

"What?" Kili asks her softly, a small smile on his face. "What's he asking?"

"Just watch." She asks him and smiles more brightly as Willis comes running back. "Whatcha got there sweetie?" She asks him.

"Here, Mister Thorin sir." He replies through pants as he runs back, before handing over an exceptionally large scone, no doubt freshly baked, to Thorin. "Can't very well be a warrior if you haven't had your breakfast." Aurora has to raise a hand to her mouth to cover a smile on her face. "Mother says breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Miss Rosey says if you don't eat the good stuff then you aren't a good warrior." Fili, from slightly behind Thorin, grins at Aurora and she must control herself for a moment else she laughs.

"I thank you, young warrior, here, give this to your mother, so she can buy some more for you to have." Thorin bends and hands the young lad a couple of coins. Not knowing their value, he nods before looking up at Aurora.

"Are you leaving again Miss Rosey, you've only just come back! You promised to tell me all about your recent travels." Bend down and kneeling on one knee she answers.

"I might be, and I know, I promised I'd tell you, but you see these three?" She gestures to the dwarves next to them and he nods. "They and their friends have to go somewhere, somewhere important, but it's a secret, so I can't tell you. And they might, at some point need me. So, I have to be ready."

"Why don't you just go with them now?" He asks, before looking up at the dwarves, his innocence showing through.

"Because we are waiting on Mister Bilbo too." Kili tells him.

"Bilbo's going too?" He says confused for a moment. "Are you sure?" A laugh escapes her.

"Yes, I always tell you, that you are made of good stuff. Good stuff that will make you a fine warrior someday. Well Bilbo has that same good stuff in him too, he just doesn't know it yet. We're going to help him find it." He ponders on her words for a moment.

"Well, I hope he finds it. And you're full to the brim with great stuff, I'm sure with your help, he will find it." He says before looking up again. "I hope you get to wherever your going safely. And you don't come across too many monsters on you way there."

"Oh, I'm sure Miss Rosey will be there to help us." Fili tells him fondly.

"Now, off you go. You've kept your mother waiting long enough." She ruffles his curly topped head playfully and he squeals before running towards his mother, who grasps his hand and asks him to wave them goodbye. "GOODBYE!" He shouts for the whole market to hear and as she laughs, she turns is surprised to find that all of the Durin's wave back happily in return to the young lad.

"He's a good lad, very ambitious. Too good for his own nature sometimes." Aurora turns back to watching Willis and his mother walk away, watching as Willis demonstrates a few moves before showing his mother his muscles. "He's a good judge of character too." She finishes before turning properly back towards the Durin's who all watch her in turn.

"I suppose, you have something to do with that?" Thorin comments.

"He's always been like that, from the minute he could walk. He wouldn't have given out a random act of kindness to just anyone Thorin. He's good that way, but enough of that, I see you're off." She says, crossing her arms over her chest casually.

"Aye, we've lost enough of this morning as it is. We've got time to make up for it. So, we best get a move on." She doesn't miss the hint he gives her as he begins walking away.

"And Bilbo?" She calls to him, his nephews watching curiously.

"Still asleep, from I gathered. I suggest that you best go and wake him. Or else, I worry you'll both be left behind." And with that he continues on his way. She pulls a face at his back before looking at Fili and Kili, who's faces are beaming.

"I do believe, he's just given you his consent to join us." Fili says and Kili all but shakes in excitement.

"You best hurry!" Kili quickly grasps her shoulders in excitement. "We'll try and delay him the best we can, but we can't promise it will be for long." Dropping his arms, he grins at her before taking off after his Uncle. "Say Uncle?" He calls as he catches up.

"Let's hope that Bilbo has made his decision then. Will you join us, if he won't Aurora?" Fili asks, moving a few steps forward before stopping next to her, watching as his brother, tries in desperate attempt, to slow their Uncle, pointing at several stalls as he goes.

"I will." She says softly. "And Bilbo will be with us." Aurora states as she begins to make her way to the bridge

"How do you know this?" Fili calls, the distance between them growing.

"I just do!" She calls back, louder. "Don't wait up for us, we'll catch up." She says before turning and taking off into a sprint. A muttered curse leaves Fili's lips at her sudden burst of speed.

"Heavens can she move!" He says in awe. Already watching as she disappears up a hill and around a bend. Shaking his head, he follows in the direction of his brother and Uncle, chuckling to himself as he does so.

HERE'S ANOTHER!