I'm so sorry there hasn't been any new chapters in a few weeks. I've been busy with night courses for work and we just took on a massive project that will take up quite a bit of extra time through till the Fall.

I wanted to let you have some peace of mind in knowing that I do NOT plan on quitting this story; updates will just be a bit more spread out. I had to force myself to stop thinking about Éla and Thorin because my thoughts were getting jumbled and nothing was making sense. (The writer's block has been overcome, so here's the result.)

Thanks to those who haven't given up on me and continue to follow this journey! :3

The day had finally arrived where the Master of Lake Town hosted the last banquet in the company's honor before their departure the next morning.

The company scattered across town in small groups, doing as they willed. Éla herself wandered the markets, venturing through the vast wooden streets and shops that slowly begun to reopen upon the Master's hasty request.

After stopping by a produce cart, the female dwarf continued down another road that would eventually lead her back to the guest house. This part of town was new and unfamiliar. Tailors and blacksmiths were already hard at work, filling the clean air with the smell of raw iron, metal and smoke. Éla followed the shops until the smoke became far denser nearing the end of the district. The clanging together of metal grew louder with each step as she neared a forge. To her surprise, a burly figure caught her attention across the way.

"Dwalin." She walked over to the dwarf standing outside. "Fancy meeting you on this end of town."

He pushed himself upright from his position by the door. A small, wily spark shone in his eyes upon seeing the one who called out to him. Éla crossed the street to the opened doorway. "What are you doing here?"

"I should ask the same." Dwalin moved in front of the entrance as the female tried to look within. He noted the basket full of apples hanging on her. His mind briefly wandered to Fili's reaction; the poor lad couldn't look at the fruit. Dwalin looked up to a confused visage.

Éla raised a brow over the subtle move. "Is there a reason you're blocking the door, Mister Dwalin?"

"No reason." The dwarf crossed his arms, never diverting his stare.

Éla mimicked his actions, waiting patiently with a smile. "He's in there, isn't he? What's he doing?"

Dwalin opened his mouth but turned instead as they heard someone call his name from the far back. Éla raised a brow at the dwarf in amusement. She thought about entering the forge, but wouldn't have gotten far with him following closely at her heels. Éla decided not to carry out her plan to intervene.

"Very well." The female straightened and turned in the direction from which she came. "I'll see you both back at the house."

Dwalin waited until Éla rounded the bend before releasing a breath out of relief. That was too close for the dwarf. He headed inside the small shell of a hearth. The fire crackled in the dim room, constantly being drowned out by heavy strikes of metal on metal. Thorin stood by the fire over a stone pillar top; in one hand, he held a hammer, in the other, a cloth protecting him from his grasp on a small metal object taking shape.

Dwalin moved closer, taking a nearby seat. "Éla was outside."

Thorin had raised the hammer to swing down heavily only to pause midway, nearly striking the stone in the process. Eyes shot up to his friend.

"She's gone. Almost came in but left instead."

The hammer came back down on the objects being forged in silence. After a few more strikes, Thorin dipped them in a barrel of water to be cooled.

"Is Éla coming with us?" Dwalin asked quietly out from the silence. Thorin held onto the barrel, watching the steam die down as the metal finally cooled off. He took in a breath and bowed his head as if the question pierced right through him.

"Yes." He reached blindly into the water and grabbed the pieces he had been working on. The topic didn't appear to sit well with the dwarf leader. It troubled him to great lengths, which had led him to the forge in the first place. "I could force her to stay if I wished, but I can't. I won't."

Guilty thoughts were overrun by selfishness. All it took was one look when his friend finally met his stare, and Dwalin knew. Everything was at stake with this quest and decisions had to be made; some easier than others. The outcome was a most definite unknown.

Thorin continued working in silence as Dwalin kept a peaceful watch so as not to cause any disturbances.

Éla and the entire company were able to relax and enjoy their last gourmet meal in peace. The night carried on without incident, with the Master appearing somewhat frightened to approach the female dwarf. With Thorin close by, the Master remained distant out of respect for all of them. More praise had been voiced and toasts of thanks and luck spoken on their behalf one last time.

The feast had turned into an early dinner for the company. They were given time to themselves that evening to do as they pleased, for continuing this quest and slaying a dragon would most likely lead to imminent death. The Master couldn't have cared less. He was happy to see them off in the morning. This dwarvish company had been a pain to keep. For Élarinya, it was the end of a long holiday. After a fortnight she still couldn't grasp the concept of establishing a relationship that usually took decades to build.

As the company trekked back to the house, everyone branched off to their usual spots. Éla scrounged the kitchen for a cutting knife and grabbed an apple before heading upstairs. As she passed the living room, Fili scrunched his face in disgust.

"How can you still eat that?"

"No one's forcing you, Fili." Éla inspected the fruit in her hand. "It might be the last opportunity I get to eat something so sweet."

She chuckled after he made another face before walking to her room. Not to her surprise, Thorin followed. As she reached for her door, he slid an arm around her waist without question, beckoning the female towards his instead.

"You may want to talk to your nephews." Éla suggested while taking a seat by the window as she sliced the apple.

Thorin began to shed his outer layers. "Are they giving you trouble?"

"Oh no. They were just curious about family, my place among you."

"Your place is with us. With me."

Éla watched him cautiously as she took another slice from the fruit and ate it. Thorin paused momentarily, eyeing whatever he held that was concealed in his hand.

"You still have yet to give me answer, Élarinya." He finally gazed upon her sitting form.

"On what?"

Thorin moved across the room to sit next to her, pocketing the mysterious object. He shifted with enough force to make Éla lean on her back. Arms resting on either side of her shoulders, she slid hers up in a slow manner, interlocking around his neck while being mindful of the apple and knife in either hand. "I wanted to see if your question was genuine."

A scowl crossed his visage, eyes narrowing. "And why wouldn't it be?"

Éla smiled tauntingly as he leaned closer, eyes falling to her mouth. He straightened a little in surprise as she took a slice of apple that had been carved moments earlier. Éla chewed quietly, trying not to laugh from the unimpressed look Thorin was giving. She carved out another slice and popped it in her mouth. "Are you enjoying that?"

She nodded her head approvingly and cut a third piece from the apple, suddenly becoming amused by his disapproving glare. "Would you like a piece?"

Before Thorin could provide an answer, Éla popped the sliver in her mouth and quickly ate it. She barely had time to swallow before his lips met hers; quickly deepening the kiss so he could taste her. Thorin took the opportunity to remove both items from her hands. Never had he expected to enjoy the sweet taste like that before pulling away.

"To answer your question: you already know." They sat up in a more comfortable position. "Though, I will not verbally confirm it for you to have control over my fate. It was a clever strategy. Besides, would you rather have me by your side until the end?"

Thorin searched her features silently while contemplating her question. She couldn't tell what he was thinking or feeling with that stone-cold expression of his. There would be plenty of time to master the breakdown of his thoughts after their journey.

"I'm responsible for my own fate, Thorin. You needn't worry."

"No," He shifted closer, "I am."

"I don't understand. Nothing's changed since my recruitment. My word still holds true."

Thorin took her hands in his. "It does, but you are part of my company, of Durin's Folk, my family."

"My wife." He paused momentarily, then took something out of his pocket to reveal silver metal courting beads.

"Thorin…" Sadness filled Éla's voice despite the gleam in her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to take it, let alone move a muscle. In all honesty, she didn't know what to do in that moment. A moment any lass would have dreamt of, she was at a loss.

"I do not question your ability to fight. You must understand that it is my duty to keep you safe now." Thorin stared at her directly. When Éla's sight fell from his, he lifted her chin so they met with sincerity. "If something were to happen to you I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Éla shook her head lightly. "I cannot accept this."

She fought the emotions dwelling inside, wanting to burst out at once. They both knew she would follow them to the end, yet it never stopped the buildup of fear and worry that anything could happen to either one. "If I do and something does happen, you will be bound to me. That wouldn't be fair."

"We're already bound to each other."