As they crossed the borders of Shire few days later, Frerin decided that he loved Miss. Bella's cooking the most and that hobbits were highly welcoming yet obtusely suspicious sort who were always happy to feed you. In the week and half that they stayed at Bag End, their host had made them feel at home, fed them and on top of it all, after making a casual enquiry about whether they would mind spending some time at the local forge, proceeded to spread over the apparently whole town and a few bordering ones that they were taking commissions. Dwalin and Frerin had made more money than they had ever thought possible in one go and were always being offered food. When she told her grandfather of her decision of setting up trade, who was also the Thain, essentially the King, the lass was a princess and absolutely refused to acknowledge it. It was all crazy. But the Thain had made an announcement about it at the harvest festival before Dwalin and Frerin joined them and when he decided to buy from the harvest to take home, he was being sold stuff at unimaginably cheap rates. They were lathered with so much produce, he was sure they would all eat well all through this season and the next. So, Dwalin, himself and Miss.Bella found themselves travelling not with four carts as originally planned, but a dozen. How they were going to make through this was honestly lost to him. The journey was going well so far. They couldn't interact much at times other than when they stopped so each was lost to their own thoughts or work. Frerin himself had borrowed a few books from Miss.Bella regarding Hobbits and the hobbit in question, who was apparently very skilled at needlework, was busy with it. The pattern was broken when they added sparring to their routines. Frerin had woken up one morning to the sounds of clashing metals and immediately went on alert only to realize that it was his two fellow travellers sparring with each other. It was not a very unfamiliar sight, for Dwalin was in charge of training his nephews and thus, he had seen Dwalin train people who looked tiny in his comparison. What was different though, was the fighting style. Miss.Bella was remarkably light on her feet. Something he had discovered was common to the Shirelings. Yet, he could easily see certain dwarrow style in there too. Dwalin and he had discussed this a lot during the journey, the case of Miss.Bella was most curious. They'd made casual inquiries while in Hobbiton and realized that she had always been like this and even more so after the arrival of the Disturber of Peace. and wasn't that something too, he had never thought that the Tharkun, a being so powerful and renowned, would be called such a way by any. Regardless, that their host was in fact earnest in her proposal was a relief to them, but her familiarity of sort with certain things that were distinctly Dwarven was a bit disturbing.

They had set up a good routine after that. The journey was spent without any difficulties from unsavoury characters but that made the two dwarrows be on more alert. It was when they were six or so days from reaching Ered Luin that they heard a scream coming from the bushes. Dwalin, who had gone to scout, reported that there were two members of the 'Ri family, one of which was in pain. Before he could say a word, Bella had pulled out her healer's kit and was running in the direction of the screams. He asked Dwalin to set up camp and followed her. He saw Dori attempting to threaten her, Ori lying on the ground in pain and Miss.Bella desperately trying to get the dwarrowdam to see some sense.

"Dori, she is with me, let her see if she can help. I vouch for her."

"Prince Frerin..!!! But.. of course of course..."

They spent 10 agonizing minutes while Bella treated Ori who had apparently managed to touch a very poisonous plant and was developing rashes where it had touched the skin. They stood aside while Ori was being treated and Frerin found himself thanking the Maker for having given them this boon. He prayed Thorin would take this all positively and be receptive. Having spent over a month with her, both Dwalin and he could tell that she was sincere in her efforts at wanting to help. They hauled Ori in a cart and restarted their journey again along with a blubbering Dori who couldn't quite decide how to thank the little Miss.

The closer they started getting to Ered Luin, the more nervous Bella grew. So far, things had gone really well, except now she had a mother hen of a dwarrowdam trying to get her to acknowledge a life debt. She had thought Dori had been fussy and overbearing at times as a dwarrow but this female version was making that look pale. But it had helped when she found herself coming across two of the dearest from the company again; much like having Prine Frerin had helped soften the blow of Dwalin being around. Regardless, Bella had told Dori that she was a healer and thus could not acknowledge such a debt and there was no need for it. It was an ongoing discussion and Prince Frerin, who most certainly was about as much of a brat as Kili had been, was having fun at her expense. She tried to glower at him only to have him snicker. Oh bebother these dwarrows.

"Dori, you really don't need to worry about this debt any longer. For it is no debt, like I said, I am a healer and this was my duty. But if you feel so very compelled, then you must treat me with your best brewed tea one evening while I am here and we shall call it settled."

"But Mi.. err Bella, you saved Ori's life... not that I wouldn't be delighted to have you over for tea."

"That's done then. Master Dwalin, how many more hours of journey do you expect we'll have to cover?"

"An hour at the most Miss. Bella."

"Right. Can we stop for some food then? I am feeling quite famished."

"Of course."

As they started preparing for lunch, Bella walked over to Prince Frerin. He was strange, this one. Had nothing whatsoever of Thorin's glowering personality, but was very easy going, yet he held a fierce sharpness that was easy to miss. If she was honest, Bella found she was more scared of Prince Frerin than she was of Thorin. Or so you say. He was like a skilled predator, who lulled you into a sense of safety with his easy going manner while being alert himself at all times.

"Pr.. Prince Frerin..?"

"You know, you need not call me that don't you, Miss.Bella?"

"Yes well, it's very improper otherwise though..."

"Then would you like me to call you Princess Bella as well?"

"Ohh you, I am not a princess. We Hobbits do not have a King. You must stop saying such things. I have heard it is punishable to present oneself as royalty when you aren't."

"Very well. How can I help you then?"

"Umm well, I, that is to say.."

Her behaviour was worrying Frerin now, other than her momentary lapse at the clearing near Bree, which was completely justified in his opinion, Miss.Bella had always been very confident. He was hoping he hadn't again offended her somehow or worse still, made her uncomfortable. He would've expected people to feel flustered around Thorin but Frerin was always the approachable end to Thorin's untouchable end. It was a technique that always worked for them when dealing with new people. To see her feel so nervous around him, it made Frerin wonder just how she would act around Thorin, much less be able to present the prospects of trade. He had approached Dori earlier and made a request to host the hobbit at their home. After the hospitality that she and her people had shown, Frerin wanted to make her feel welcome as well. But he also knew that if he invited her to their house, it would only put her at risk. So, he had sought middle ground with Dori who had been all too happy to do so. He focused back on the little hobbit who had helped ease a huge burden from his mind, her comfort was of utmost importance here.

"Miss.Bella, please feel free to say whatever is on your mind. I would like to think that you feel comfortable enough around me to do so after having known me for this long."

"Of course. Right. Well then, I have a request to make."

"Go ahead."

"If it is all the same to you, I would rather you didn't tell your brother about the.."

"Life debt?"

"Well, not hide forever or something. Just until I am able to present my prospects of trade and he has given his answer over it. From what you have told me of him, I don't want to make him feel obligated in any way. That you agreed to even give a recommendation for me, is enough already. I wish to not be seen as an obligation. If your brother is not happy with my offers, then so be it. I shall find a different way to pay this debt."

"You are worrying over nothing Miss.Bella. Thorin would be more than delighted to accept your prospects."

"Then let it be on my merit. Please."

"Very well. I will wait until you have his answer."

She was a fussy little thing, Frerin decided. Worrying over nothing. Thorin would realize her trade prospects as a boon even before she was done explaining the whole deal. Not that it means Thorin would readily agree. Hence, his recommendation so that his brother would know that the kindness she was showing was in fact, real. They had all learned to be wary of overt kindness over the years after all. To make sure to not leave any window of doubt, Frerin would tell Thorin about everything other than the part about life debt. That in itself, would be enough to get Thorin to agree without any problems. But Miss.Bella didn't need to know that. And what she didn't know, wouldn't hurt her. Frerin watched with ever increasing confusion as she slumped in relief and then proceeded to take off her armour after walking a certain distance away from them. Then, indecent as it was, he watched her don a distinctly feminine dress over her tunic and breeches. She then pulled out her elven daggers and put them on a band under her sleeves. Fussy but Ingenious, he decided again. She was trying to appear harmless so as to have an advantage. He had at first, been a little disappointed to see her have only the elven daggers on her person. Only to later realize that she had the ones he made strapped to her thigh. She was quite something, this little hobbit lass. Yet, all Frerin could feel, looking at her, was something he would feel for another sister of sorts. He wondered for a thousandth time since he'd met her just what Thorin would make of her. Well, he'd know soon enough.