Much to Bella's surprise and gratitude, Dori and Ori had insisted, very forcibly that she stay with them. They had stored her six carts at the Ri's and the other six had gone with Prince Frerin and Dwalin. By evening, Dwalin himself had come over and asked her to write her prospect in brief to add to the next day's schedule so that Balin, being Thorin's advisor could add it to his appointments. From what Dori had later informed her, this wasn't how it normally went. Instead, she would have had to go to Thorin's Halls, write her prospect, which would be examined by the scribe. Then, depending on the level of urgency, it would be forwarded to Balin. Balin too, would then decide the urgency and make an appointment accordingly. Her heart clenched at the thought of Balin. To hear of his fate had been a torture of a different kind. Moria would not be his cruel grave again. Thorin would survive and Balin would never feel the need to go to that damned place. Her thoughts wandered back to the younger brother again and she felt a wave of gratitude towards the balding Dwarf. He needn't have done this for her after all. Over the last month, Dwalin had taken her up as an unofficial apprentice and sparring partner. She had liked to think he would think of her as not very helpless, but to know that she had his recognition, for she knew this was Dwalin's way of showing his approval, it warmed her.

While Bella, Ori and Dori were busy making dinner, Frerin was being bombarded by an unending streak of questions. When Frerin and Dwalin had approached the courtyard with six carts, Fili and Kili were all sorts of curious. Dis and surprisingly Thorin, who was at home and had come out listening to their voices, had been a little speechless after knowing the sheer amount of food Frerin and Dwalin had managed to procure. When he had placed a very heavy bag of coins in Dis' hands, well he hadn't known what was being said for the next five minutes with the way they were going on. Especially more so after Balin had joined them. Thorin as usual, was the only one calmly standing and looking at him with an expression he knew all too well. His brother wanted an explanation and Frerin was to give it. He'd hoped to at least get some sleep before having to explain. Well, it wasn't like he could tell Thorin no when he was giving him this look. It was more a look of King of Durin's folk than it was of an elder brother

"Alright, let me sit at least! Now then, our first two weeks at Bree went as expected. The profits were good and work was plenty. Only, in the third week, a hobbit lass visited and the whole thing changed."

"You didn't get married to the halfling, did you?"

"Dis..!! For Mahal's sake, have some faith. And don't use that word, the hobbits find it very derogatory. Anyway, let me finish and don't interrupt till the end. Now then, this harmless and gentle looking hobbit lass approached the forge and asked to commission weapons. I thought it was a jest until she presented me with wonderfully done sketches and two daggers. Here Kee, take a look at these arrowheads she drew,"

He passed on the sketches and relaxed a little when Thorin's brow lifted with appreciation. He bit back a chuckle at the longing expression on Kili's face while inspecting the arrowheads and pulled out the leather roll from his bag.

"Kili, open this for me would you, lad?"

He could see why the hobbits took happiness into consideration while deciding a payment. The sheer look of awe on his nephew's face made him happier than a bag of gold would have.

"Uncle Frerin..."

"Yes. They are for you."

"Ohh I just have to meet this very best hobbit who has made you so generous."

"Brat."

He then proceeded to tell his family of the kindness not only Miss.Bella had shown him, but also that the other Hobbits had. How this strange being had opened her house to them, clothed them, fed them and found them not only a way to buy food at a very cheap rate but also more work. Despite knowing it would annoy her, he told them of her status as a not-princess. He spoke of her kindness and that of her kin and her earnest desire to want to help them.

"You mean to tell me that this Miss. Baggins wants to help us solely out of the goodness of her heart?"

"Yes and no. She is honest about her desire to help and it is without any nefarious reason. She has told myself and Dwalin one of the reasons, which was how she found the urge to work for this trade, but she is earnest in her effort."

"And the reason you both cannot tell me her reason?"

"It may seem silly, but she wishes for you to judge her prospects without being biased in anyway. I would not have indulged in such a request, but it is a very important thing for her and after all the kindness she has shown me, I would not break her trust so."

"Frerin.."

"Trust me with this, nadad. Also, I know for a fact that once you taste her blackberry jam, you'd probably accept any trade she has to offer just for more of where it came from."

Thorin's gaze was still not of an older brother but that of a King's and Frerin kept a steady eye contact as an heir would. He must have realised that Frerin would not budge on this and gave a grudging nod in return.

"Very well, add her to tomorrow's appointments and bring me the jam. It better be worthy."

"Trust me, brother. It is."

Long after everyone had retired and Frerin had regaled his siblings with more tales of hobbits and Miss. Baggins, Thorin found himself wondering just what it was about this hobbit that was urging him to remember something important. When sleep finally claimed him, Thorin Oakenshield found himself trapped in a very strange dream. He saw a hobbit lass standing in front of him while defending him from some unseen enemy while he had fallen.