Night slowly faded into morning with the sun a burning red. The color reminded Éla of the flames from long ago. The company rendered into silence as life around them diminished. They began to travel uphill. She allowed herself to draw in upon the memory as if it were yesterday.

Late. She was late, and so she ran as fast as her attire would allow.

The deep violet of her skirts clashed against the cool, grey stone columns as she passed the guards at the front gate. Down the halls and to the caverns below, she reached her destination in the busy halls among forgers and tailors.

"Ah! Élarinya, where have you been?! The morning is gone and there's so much to do!"

A child appeared from the back of a wooden counter and tugged at the woman's dress. "I'm hungry."

"Patience, my son. We will eat shortly."

"Sorry mother. The markets were busier than usual but I was able to bargain a deal on the materials from the merchant." The young dwarf expressed with confidence. She ruffled the boy's hair in passing. The basket the young maiden set down was full of varying leather fabrics and crafting tools. Her mother examined pieces of glass, brushes and picks sticking out of a paper bag.

"What are these?"

Élarinya went to grab them, but the older dwarf was closer.

"You've been to the forgers in Dale again, haven't you?"

Her mother simply smiled at her daughter before handing the bag over. Éla loved to craft anything she could...when given the chance. She loved the jewels that came from the mines beneath The Lonely Mountain. The different shapes, colors, and surfaces were mesmerizing even more so to her than any amount of silver or gold. It was one advantage when working close to the excavation sites. Her mother; however, had an eye for needlework and worked alongside some of Erebor's well known tailors down in the lower halls.

Of course, Éla was of age to be working alongside her mother but dreamt of nothing more than to be with her grandfather further below, surrounded by the precious gems, examining them, filtering through their sparkling edges. Her grandfather had worked with the stones first-hand in cleaning and inspecting them after his long years as a forger. That's where Éla wanted to be. That's where she wanted to belong. One could only hope, for that task was no place for a young woman. Instead, the young maiden spent her spare time practicing with the few treats her grandfather had given to her as a child.

The tailor shop continued its day-to-day activities as usual. The young maiden began organizing the materials on shelves when a commotion arose outside. One of the tailors stepped out, followed by a curious Éla.

"What's all the ruckus about now?" Her mother asked, remaining behind her desk absorbed in working on a pair of leather greaves.

Éla saw people running in all directions. She listened intently only to hear a faint, deep yell from the halls above. The dwarves paused, and then frantically ran left and right. A massive crowd swarmed passed her, almost knocking the young maiden to the ground.

"Well? What is it child?" Her mother pursed through the opened door.

A dwarf ran pass each shop hollering at the top of his lungs.

"Dragon! Dragon! DRAGON!"

Éla froze in the doorway. Her mother's face went white with fear.

"Dragon? Cool!" Her little brother was still only a child, full of wonder and excitement. He was pretending to wield an axe, slashing the invisible foe through the air.

"Nil, now is not the time!" Their mother scolded in panic. She grabbed her son's arm and shoved the two out of the shop, motioning to follow the others.

"Hurry! We must move quickly."

"But my toys!"

"We cannot worry about. Éla, this way!"

Éla followed their mother, holding on to her brother's hand so he didn't get lost in the crowds. Everywhere was engulfed with alarm and fear. Someone bumped into Éla, causing her to fall to the ground. Her brother crouched, hands over his head.

"Éla! Éla!"

She rushed over to him and lifted him up. "I'm here."

The boy frenetically looked around, tears forming in his eyes.

"Where's mama?"

She looked up and down as well, but they were lost in the swarms of dwarves scurrying to evacuate.

"Do not worry Nil, we'll see her again. But first we must find our way out."

Éla took him by the hand and ran, following the scattering dwarves down the halls. They were located on the second cavern below, and needed to reach the main floor to get out for the exits on their level were too crammed. She didn't want to risk getting stuck among mobs and having no chance at all. There was a secret passage that led out alongside the main doors that she knew of. It was shown to her by some of the dwarves who used it to sneak out from under the noses of the guards at night to attend inns with the locals of Dale. She herself was never brave enough to follow.

That would be her current objective, though.

The two broke away from the hustling crowds and branched off to the left, down a narrow bridge over the mining chasms below and through a stone tunnel. The torches lining the rock walls were now their only source of light. Several minutes later, they came to a wooden door with a brass handle. The round knob was engraved with ancient dwarvish runes. The maiden could feel the markings, despite not being able to see them clearly under the dim flames. She pressed an ear to the door, sounds of heavy footsteps lingered.

Éla turned the handle and opened it. Daylight splashed through the crack, then flowed through the entire entranceway. More civilians were running past them. She grabbed her brother's hand once more.

"Let's go."

No sooner had they walked into the light, did the ground shake with tremors.

"Élarinya!"

The maiden searched for the source. "Father!"

The dwarf ran to the children.

"It is not safe here! You must go back!"

More tremors shook the halls. It was proving difficult to stay balanced. He shoved them back towards the door.

"Father, where's mama?" Nil asked teary-eyed.

The dwarf placed a heavy hand on either shoulder. "You will meet her outside, but not yet."

He turned to his daughter. "Take your brother back into the tunnels and stay there until it is safe."

"What about you?!" She asked. Worry spread over her, eyes glazing.

"There's no time, Éla!"

He shoved a dagger in her hands before pushing his children back towards the door they came through.

"Here, take care of your brother for me." The dwarf caressed a cheek with his hand. "Close the door and do not look back."

Éla watched him disappear among the hordes. She remained motionless, stunned in place.

Reality brought her to her senses as the floor shook more violently. The quakes were growing stronger and nearer. Rocks and dust from the tunnel's ceiling loosened and fell around the young dwarves.

"Nil, cover your head!"

Éla rushed outside to get the door closed when a blast erupted from the exterior walls. Hollers and stomping followed as the guard ran past the secret door towards the main gate. The maiden hid in the shadows to prevent herself from being seen. She waited a moment before grabbing the door once more, pulling backwards.

As hard as she tried, it wouldn't budge.

"You've got to be kidding." She cursed under her breath.

Fear shook her.

A rock had been wedged between the hinges, but was now free. The door creaked a little before slowly giving in and finally moving. A massive blast echoed through the halls. She froze, falling to her knees. Some of the guards were backing up, weapons raised. Éla nervously yanked on the door with more strength, which swung closed minus a good two feet.

She fell to the ground as her surroundings continued to resonate with the tremors.

That's when she saw it: menacing yellow eyes from a creature with brick-red scales prowling through the widened corridor several hundred meters away and flames engulfed the stone. The guards were no match for the beast as they were flung about like toys. It was clearing a path.

Eyes widened as it turned its head towards her. A screech erupted from its lungs, ready to breathe fire.

"ÉLA!"

The yell brought her out of stasis as her father threw a throwing axe at the dragon's leg, distracting it. The maiden watched as the dragon released a lung-full of molten flames on the unexpected dwarf.

"NO!"

Éla screamed but covered her mouth in anguish, tears streaming down her face. Her father's eyes were filled with fear and loving worry focusing on her, before his figure vanished within the red and white blaze.

There was no more time.

The flames coursed a path straight towards the maiden. She stood up and struggled to pull the door shut before fire splashed over the thick wood. The last few inches she could not get. The heat grew hotter by the millisecond and her left hand remained glued to the metal knob.

Pain seared through her palm as the skin melted away. She muffled a scream before pulling herself away from the door, smoke and fire seeping through the cracks.

"Move back!" She shouted to her brother as the two backtracked to the safety of the middle of the tunnel.

Éla held her brother close, shielding him from falling rocks and prayed that they would make it out alive.

The dragon's heavy steps faded hastily and Éla lifted herself in caution. She crept to the wooden door now charred black and smoking. She tore a piece of fabric from the hem of her dress and wrapped it around her bleeding hand. The dwarf lightly touched the wood; it was still hot, burning on the other side.

Éla nudged the door open with her boot, wide enough for them to escape. Not looking back, she guided her little brother outside through the remains of the main gate. In next to no time, they were running with civilians and the guards.

Erebor was lost. So was her father.

Not stopping, she led her brother to the safety of the valley across the long bridge before allowing themselves to catch their breath. Éla scanned the survivors for any familiar face. Nil began to choke as he started to cry and take deep breaths at once. The maiden did her best to calm him, but it was no use.

She took a chance and faced The Lonely Mountain in all its flaming ruins. What remained of the guards was only now escaping the destruction. Seeing them churned her stomach. The opposing side of the valley was no better, for standing on the top of the hill, she noticed the retreating elves.

Her heart sunk as all hope was lost.

Éla held onto her crying brother a little tighter, accepting the grief that filled her soul.

"Élarinya! Nil!"

The young maiden looked up just in time to see her mother rushing over. Her brother pushed away and ran into the safety of his mother's arms.

"Thank heavens you're both alright!" She cried.

Éla stood next to them, expressionless and unsure of what to do or how to react. Watching her father's death was not something she ever expected she would have to endure. She felt partially responsible. Nothing could comfort that sense of guilt.

"Father..." She couldn't bring herself to look her mother straight in the eye.

The dwarf looked down on the item held in her daughter's hand. The long dagger was extended to her, but Éla's mother pushed her daughter's hand back to her.

"It is yours now. Keep it."

Éla traced over the markings that were permanently embedded on her palm. That was why she wore gloves. It was a painful memory to be reminded of. Éla figured that if she couldn't see it physically, she wouldn't have to remember it. If only one was so lucky.

The ponies began to struggle with their loads as the grounds sloped into an infinite incline. The maiden could no longer see the trees or nature's animals. Once they cleared the top, the company was able to see miles upon miles of trees before them. The view was never-ending. They reached the eaves of the forest by afternoon.

Mirkwood was finally upon them.

Alarm bells rang in Éla's mind. The overhanging, twisted branches and long, dark leaves were not the most welcoming sight to come across. There was an uneasy feeling about this forest and she didn't like it.

"Well here we are!" Gandalf exclaimed. "Mirkwood: the greatest forest of the Northern world!"

I wouldn't call it 'great'. Éla thought, examining the narrow entrance to their path. It was dark and mucked with ivy. It gave off an unpleasant smell.

"Now it is time to hold to your word and return these excellent ponies you have borrowed. Beorn has not been far off. Mr. Baggins has sharper eyes and at night, has seen a large black bear following us not only to guide and protect but to keep an eye on his animals. It would be wise to keep your promise for Beorn is not an enemy you want to have."

The dwarves grew miserable at the thought of knowing they were about to lose their wizard.

"As I have told you, there is some business I must attend to in the south. We may meet again but that will depend on your luck, courage, and sense." They looked glum. "Cheer up for this is your expedition after all! Think of the treasure at the end and forget the forest and dragon until tomorrow morning. Now I must be off."

They unloaded the ponies before Gandalf gave his final farewells. There was no sense in arguing with the wizard as his mind was set. Bilbo could have sworn he saw the shape of a bear run after the freed animals before the wizard called out to him.

As the dwarves organized themselves for the evening that was soon approaching, Gandalf straightened atop his horse. "Good-bye, take care of each other and don't leave the path!"

He turned and rode into the West.

Éla took the opportunity to grab everyone's water-skins with Ori for refilling by the spring near the forest-gate. She nudged the hobbit in passing for him to follow. He was distraught by Gandalf's departure. They all were.

The three sat down on the grass as the others busied themselves with other tasks. The hobbit kept glancing through the thick tree trunks with growing uncertainty.

"Don't worry Bilbo." Éla reassured.

"I'm trying not to, but I can't shake this feeling of being watched." He looked back to the forest.

Ori grabbed the last water-skin and Éla unfastened her silver braid and began braiding the entire length of her waves to the one side. Bilbo stared at her fingers swiftly moving through each strand with ease. He noticed she had left her side braids untouched and started to wonder why.

She noticed his gaping stare. "Yes?"

The hobbit watched as the dwarf maiden fastened the braid with a round, silver clip.

"Your braids, you didn't remove all of them, yet you added one. Is it different between dwarves? The men and women? I don't think I've ever seen the others touch theirs."

"Not every braid holds meaning, Bilbo. This was simply a way to tie up my hair before we enter the forest. Mine is longer than the others, so I need to be practical."

This seemed to have stirred more confusion. Ori listened ardently as Bilbo scanned the dwarves by the campsite a little ways away.

"They're all so different though."

Éla laughed. "Yes, yes they are. Most braids represent one's personality or allow them to appear unique."

She searched her companions for a moment. "Take Dori for example: his hair is immensely plaited with a complex and precise arrangement of braids that could best describe his pernickety character. On the other side of that spectrum, you have those like Balin and Dwalin who do not have any braids at all. Don't get me wrong, there are some braids that hold cultural meaning."

"Like mine."

Fili walked over with Kili, and the two brothers joined the small group. Bilbo looked more confused than ever.

"Fili's braids represent his relationship to the royal family, the House of Durin. The two on the side," Éla pointed to the ones on either side of his face, "are the same as Thorin's."

The blond then put on an arm around his brother's shoulder, "Kili doesn't have any yet because he's the youngest of our house."

Kili shoved his brother away. "Anyways, you forgot to mention one."

Éla rolled her eyes. Bilbo didn't want to pry, but they really had nothing better to do. The dwarves' culture was so different from his; he was intrigued to know as much as he could. It wasn't that hard if you asked the right person. He found Éla easy to talk to, but maybe that was due to them both being recruited in a similar manner.

"Which one is that?" The hobbit asked. He turned from one dwarf to the other, unsure who would answer.

The young princes only looked to Éla to do the explaining. They beamed and waited.

"Courting braids." She said.

Bilbo and Ori heeded their gazes to the ground, embarrassed for now having to go through a continuation of the discussion that took place in Beorn's halls. Even Kili's cheeks were slightly tinted under the retiring sun.

"Don't allow my presence to falter an educational question." Éla express all too amused by their reactions. "There's no need to suddenly go shy on me."

"Supper!" Bofur called.

The four dwarves and hobbit turned, breaking away from their discussion.

"We better go before Bombur eats it all." Fili said, getting up. The rest followed.

Éla motioned for the others to grab a bowl first. Bofur dished them out, keeping a firm grasp on the spoon so Bombur wouldn't top his bowl to the rim countless times over. The massive dwarf waited patiently in hopes of an extra serving.

"So what were you lot talking about?" Bofur asked. "Secret stuff, eh?"

Fili and Kili remained silent, as did Bilbo. It was Ori of all the young ones, to pipe up.

"Miss Éla was explaining cultural braids to us."

The dwarf passed a bowl to Ori, who now had the entire camp's attention.

Bofur only contained his interest at a moderate level as he handed Éla her serving. He didn't want to press the matter any further than it needed to without someone feeling uncomfortable. "Cultural braids? You don't mean its relation to that conversation from four nights ago?"

Éla could feel their gazes on her as she sat next to the hobbit. They were all situated around the fire. "It was purely for academic purposes. Bilbo wanted to know more about our culture, particularly about braids and why everyone's are so different."

She saw him slouch in discomfort. "Besides, the younger members should be educated as well."

The idea gave her the impression of young boys meddling in topics beyond their years, for their faces were vivid with life.

"There are many variations with each meaning very distinct from the other. The individual removing or adding the braids must be cautious when carrying out the proper order." Éla added.

"There's an order?" Bilbo asked dazzled.

Kili scrunched his face puzzle by her words. "Since when was there an order?"

"To make you ask questions! No, there isn't an order, so disregard that last bit." The maiden chuckled. "Anyway, if I was looking for a romantic relationship, I would put two small braids in my hair and ask said person to remove them, which would then lead to the courtship. Sometimes it's optional to have all braids removed as well."

"There's also a more traditional way of performing one, too." Gloin noted. "Mind you, it's not as common for it sometimes only takes place when circumstances are dire, or if both parties are eager to be...joined."

Half the members were stunned. Bilbo and the younger dwarves were as perplexed as ever, although Fili and Kili seemed to have grasped some of it and grinned cheekily. Éla was speechless.

"That's a rather interesting implication, Master Gloin." She said, still mortified.

"What is this traditional way?" Fili asked.

The young ones looked over to Gloin and the older members. He was the only one married among the company and would know a thing or two about the subject.

"Perhaps Miss Éla could continue, if she doesn't mind." Gloin passed on the responsibility to the maiden.

Éla was stuck for a second before jumping right back where they left off. "If the relationship was already in full bloom and both individuals were not courted, either one would then remove the other's braids. From there..."

She paused, carefully planning how she was going to word the next part. Kili was too fervent to wait.

"Well? What then?"

"N-nothing." She shook her head, suddenly feeling awkward by voicing the practice. "It's nothing. I was just side-tracked with words."

The young prince wasn't buying it. "Come on, Éla!"

"I think it's time for bed." Balin stood, changing the subject as he stretched his legs.

He winked to the maiden as he patted the young dwarf's shoulder. Kili only slouched back on the ground.

"There's obviously another part you're not telling!"

Thorin shot his nephew a fierce gaze which shut him up. The company proceeded to retire for the night. Éla became aware of the gaze directed on her back like a target as she spread out her bed roll on the cool grass. She looked up as she turned and met Thorin's stare. It wasn't definite if he was actually looking at her or the fire which separated them. Still, the additional attention was growing more discomfited by the day. She carried on questioning the look in his eyes every time she caught it. He was searching for something that appeared to be amiss. Since he was unreadable, Éla planned to do the same. Or at least try.

Kili was undoubtedly given first watch of the night. She rested furthest away from the forest's edge, and her back to the others while facing the hobbit. Bilbo rolled over so he could see her.

"I'm sorry I put you in such an awkward position." He whispered.

Éla reassured him with a smile. "Don't. They're just having fun."

Bilbo rolled back, only to turn over again.

"Is there really more to it?" He asked. "Something else?"

The dwarf merely laughed silently and shrugged her shoulders. "Get some sleep, Master Baggins. There will be plenty of time to divulge unanimous pieces of information once we enter the forest."

The braids and courting concept is difficult to understand. I've done as much research as I could, but most of the ideas are based on what was already known about dwarf culture online and mixed in with a bit of imagination. Since the courting braids are virtually an unknown, I'll just be winging it and hope it'll sound believable. The ideas in this chapter are based on what I've found on the Internet. So, I don't take credit for the majority of it.

There's also a later chapter (much later) that will clarify how I will interpret the idea. It will be 100% fictional and from my imagination. Ratings may change from T to M, but don't hold me to that yet... :P