Balin frowned "The caravan is nearly here, where is she?"
Dwalin shrugged, "She said she and Bilbo needed to check on some of the plants out of the balcony."
"That was an hours ago! She swore she would not be late!" Balin pinched the bridge of his nose.
They turned as the echo of hurried footsteps sounded behind them. Nimera was running up the path towards the gate, the hem of her dress billowing around her as she weaved her way through the crowd. Behind her Bilbo was also hurriedly making his way through with a flurry of 'excuse me!' And 'pardon'. The two skidded to an abrupt halt as they reached the gathered assembly.
Nimera looked around for a moment, a smile spreading across her face "See Bilbo I told you we would make it!"
The hobbit rolled his eyes before clearing his throat loudly holding up a pair of slippers.
Nimeras cheeks turned pink as she looked down at her bare feet peeking from under her dress. "Oh right, thanks." She said grabbing the slippers from him
Steadying herself on Balin's shoulder she quickly slipped the shoes on. "Cutting it a little close aren't we?"
Nimera gave him a sheepish look "Sorry we lost track of the hour."
"Nimera!" Dis frowned looking at something behind her "There is dirt on the hem of your dress!"
Nimera pulled the back hem of her dress around. Frowning as she saw a small trail of dirt smudged along the back of the rosy fabric. She picked it up, rubbing furiously at the offending dirt until it smudged off onto her hand. She looked at the dirt covered hand debating the next step in her plan.
She felt someone elbow her lightly. Fili gestured his head slightly to where he had his sleeve turned inside out. He held the sleeve closer to her. She looked up at him questioningly before he nodded. She grinned, quickly wiping the dirt onto the fabric.
"My hero." She laughed quietly as he carefully turned the sleeve back, hiding the stain.
"I do believe that is it." Dis said drawing their attention.
A large caravan was drawing closer to the mountain stopping just before the great doors. Two dwarves at the head of the caravan dismounted, approaching the group.
"That is Lord Dain." Balin whispered to Nimera tilting his head towards a large burly dwarf, his shock of bright red hair billowing around him like a mane.
"Thorin!" The red haired dwarf bellowed, stepping to the king under the mountain as two embraced. "Good to see you lads!" He said, clasping Kili and Fili on the shoulders.
"It is good to see you Dain." Fili bowed slightly
"And Dis, radiant as always." Dain moved to her with a wink as he bowed.
He moved down the line to where Dwalin Balin and Nimera stood.
"Dwalin. Stoic as ever I see." The dwarf lord grinned
"Dain." Dwalin grunted in greeting
He paused as he noticed Nimera beside him
"And who is this?"
"Ah this is our ward Nimera." Balin said pushing her forward
Nimera bowed "Lord Dain it is an honor to meet you. My mother was from the Iron Hills."
"And where have you been hiding? I have not seen you in Erebor before."
"Nimera has been traveling for the past five years and has only recently returned to us." Balin explained patting her shoulder
The ginger dwarfs eyebrows rose slightly "Traveling? For what purpose?"
"Perfecting my craft my lord. I traveled the lands learning healing."
Dain nodded approvingly, "A noble pursuit indeed."
Nimera inclined her head slightly "Thank you my Lord."
"But where are my manners? May I present my son Thorin II." He said motioning for the dwarf behind him to step forward. A tall broad shouldered dwarf stepped beside Dain,
"My Lady." He said, taking her hand as he bowed "Thorin II at your service."
Nimera bowed again "Nimera at your service and your families."
"Hopefully I will not need the services of a healer during our stay." He said with a wide smile
"Perhaps the service of a friend then instead." Nimera smiled back
"Aye that I will take." He nodded releasing her hand
"Come" Thorin said, clapping Dain on the shoulder, "We will get all of you settled. I am sure your people are tired. There is much to do before Durins day is upon us!"
Dain nodded motioning for the rest of the caravan to proceed, a small stream of dwarves beginning to trickle inside.
….
Nimera groaned as her back hit the dirt.
"Two on one does not feel very sporting." She grumbled as Kili pointed the tip of his sword into her chest while Fili kicked her blade out of reach.
Kili shrugged "It is not supposed to be sporting. Real fights are rarely fair."
Nimera pushed the tip of his blade away "True."
She hooked her foot around his, pulling his leg from under him.
"Hey!" Kili exclaimed pushing himself from the dirt "That's not..."
Nimera cut him off as she move to grab him. A hand closed around her arm, pressing her back down into the ground. She lifted her head from the dirt as Fili pulled her arm behind her, his knee pressing lightly on her back.
He grinned, leaning down to whisper in her ear "Forgetting something? Or should I say someone."
"Like I said," She frowned "Hardly sporting."
He chuckled releasing his hold. Nimera rolled onto her back, taking his outstretched hand.
"This next round you and I can give Kili a good pummeling if you would like." He offered
"What!" Kili protested
"That is a very tempting offer." Nimera shook her head "Maybe next time. I should be going soon."
Fili frowned "I though you did not have to be in the healers today."
"I'm not. I am going to Dale with Risti to celebrate our new apprentice."
Kili blew out a sigh of relief "Saves my skin for another day."
"Aye for now." Fili chuckled.
He stopped as Nimera put a hand on his chest. His eyes widened as she stepped closer to him, leaning in until her lips nearly brushed his ear "Fili one more thing,"
He jerked as his leg gave out from under him, Nimera's smiling face coming into view as she planted her knee on his chest "It will be me and Kili against you next time."
...
Nimera gathered the load of pints into her arms, carefully weaving her way through the crowded inn.
With a proud smile she set the still full mugs down on the table "Drink up!"
Risti took two for herself before passing the second pair to Lor. Nimera took her own pair as she slid into the open seat across from them.
"So," Lor asked, raising her cup "What are we drinking to?"
Risti raised hers to meet it "Isnt it obvious? To a day finally free of the healing hall!"
Nimera laughed knocking her flagon against the others, sloshing ale onto the table "I will drink to that!"
Risti slammed her empty pint down "Mahal, it feels like this festival has gone on for an eternity and it has not even begun!"
Lor and Nimera stacked their empty cups on top of hers
"I cannot even fathom how you still have the strength to compete in the Undül." Lor shook her head "The only thing keeping me standing is the hope that with the arrival of the Iron Hills caravan we may get some extra hands."
Nimera took a long pull from the second pint "Sorry to kill your hope Lor, but healers in the Iron Hills are few and far between. The only thing that caravan is bringing is more trouble." She cast a glance around at the raucous crowd around them.
Lor finished off the last remnants of her own drink, resting her head on her hand "Well at least they are nice to look at." She said winking at one of the young soldiers who had happened to turn their way.
The dwarf stopped mid drink, seemingly riveted by Lor's attention as the darrowdam flashed an alluring smile.
Risti smacked Lor on the shoulder "Mahal, you are going to make that lad melt into nothing more than a pile of armor."
Lor turned her attention back to them "Maybe that is what he wants."
Nimera scraped her chair back from the table "I need another drink if this is where we are headed."
Risti nodded. The pair turned to Lor, who had turned her attention back to the soldier, throwing him a rather suggestive look as he glanced back at her.
Risti eblowed the younger dam in the side "Do you want a drink or no'?"
Lor gave a dreamy sigh, her attention still elsewhere "That would be nice."
Nimera and Risti rolled their eyes nearly in unison as Nimera pushed back from the table.
She picked her way through the crowd, dodging a few stray pints that had become airborne, spilling their contents across the assembled patrons.
Nimera frowned, finding her access to the bar blocked by a large group of dwarves, all locked in deep concentration at the card game going on in front of them. She sighed, resigning herself to making her way round rather than risk interrupting them. She inched past a few of the gathered spectators, squeezing between two of the dwarves of the cusp of the group.
Just as she slipped by cheers and jibes rippled through the gathered crowd as the game made its final turn. One of the dwarves threw his hands up at the sight, sloshing the contents of his drink. Nimera took a step back not wanting her dress to become a bar rag. Her eyes widened slightly as her boot skidded on the wet floor, sliding out from beneath her.
The world tilted suddenly to a strange angle, Nimera uselessly reaching out a hand to grab at the air in front of her, as the inn's ceiling came into view.
The tilting world around her came to an abrupt stop.
"Lady Nimera?"
She looked up into the concerned face of Stonehelm.
"I..It's just Nimera…" She said breathlessly as he adjusted his grip on her waist, setting her back on her feet "Thank you Lord Thorin."
He gave her a broad smile "Of course, Then I must insist you call me Stonehelm. I do think it will be rather confusing having two Thorins in the mountain!"
His hand slipped to the small of her back as he guided her forward away from the crowd.
"Thank you." Nimera glanced up at him "I am rather fond of this dress. It would have been a shame to ruin it."
"Think nothing of it." He gave her a mischievous look "It is a hobby of mine you know? I wait in taverns for beautiful ladies to need saving."
"I think we must find you a better hobby to bide your time." Nimera laughed, "May I get you an ale to repay you for your gallantry?"
He scratched his chin "Well how could I say no to such a generous offer!"
Nimera sidled up to the bar, signaling the innkeeper over as she flashed four fingers.
"The same?" He asked, pulling four flagons from under the bar. She nodded, tossing a few coins into his waiting hand before scooping up the drinks.
She paused, passing one to Stonehelm.
He took it from her with a skeptical look "Why dont I help you with the rest." He said taking the other from her hand.
Nimera shifted the other flagon into her empty hand, holding them aloft as they weaved their way back through the see of patrons.
"Great hammers, what took so long? I was beginning to think you had decided to run off with one of those handsome Iron Hills guards!" Risit laughed as Nimera took up her seat.
"Well I may not be a guard per say, though I would like to think I can fulfill the rest of the requirements." Stonehelm smiled as he set a flagon in front of her.
Risti's mouth opened slightly, glancing from Stonthelm to Nimera then back.
He bowed "Ladies."
Risit seemed to regain her wits as Stonehelm turned to leave "Please sit, there is no sense in risking spilling your drink as you walk." She pushed the vacant seat next to Nimera out with her boot.
"Thank you." Stonehelm pulled back the chair fully
There was long silence as Risti and Lor watched Stonehelm with rapt interest.
Nimera held her flaggon to her lips, delivering a swift kick to both women's shins.
"Stonehelm, this is Risti daughter of Terian and Lor daughter of Tor." Nimera gestured to each in turn "They both serve in the healing halls."
Stonehelm put a hand to his chest inclining his head to them "Forgive my lack of decorum for not introducing myself properly. I am Thorin II Stonehelm of the Iron Hills, but most simply call me Stonehelm."
Lor's eyes bulged slightly as she stared at him "You are Lord Dain's son are you not?"
He laughed, "I am found out then."
"Lor here was just recently singing the praises of the Iron Hills soldiers." Nimera chuckled into her drink as Lor's face became tinged with pink, the younger dam taking a great interest in the cup in her hands
Stonehelm turned to her "You are interested in soldiering?"
"Only in a particular type my Lord." Risti tilted her head in the direction of the small group of soldiers milling beside the bar
"Oh aye," Stonehelm grinned as he caught sight of the soldier glancing back to their table, "Unfortunately Miss. Lor I cannot speak too much on the everyday ins and outs of our soldiers." He waved a hand towards the group at the bar "However I am sure Jorn here would be an excellent guide to the subject."
"Lord Stonehelm." The brawny soldier bowed as he approached the table
"Jorn, my good dwarf." Stonehelm clapped him on the shoulder "Miss. Lor here has questions about soldiering that I believe are out of my depth. I was hoping you may be able to enlighten her further."
The soldier's ears turned a deep shade of red as he turned to look at Lor "I.. I would be delighted miss."
Nimera hooked her finger around the edge of Lor's cup "It looks like she may need another drink as well."
Jorn nodded furiously, extending his hand to Lor.
Lor looked between Nimera and Risti for a moment before taking his hand, the pair melting into the crowd.
Nimera tapped her chin thoughtfully "Why do I feel as though we have seen the last of her for the day?"
"Because we have." Risti snorted. She glanced over to Stonehelm "You have just thrown that poor boy to the wolves."
Stonehelm leaned back in his chair, "It'll be good for the lad."
Risti looked between the pair, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. She made a dramatic show of looking out the tavern window "Well would you look at the hour! I should be moving on."
Nimera stood to follow her "You are leaving for the mountain already?"
Risti shook her head "I am meeting Thrir at the Crown and Sword." She gave Nimera a wry smile as she turned to leave. "Something tells me you will find your way back just fine."
"It would seem as though you have been abandoned by your friends." Stonehelm chuckled as he came to stand beside her, watching Risti's retreating figure disappear out the tavern door.
Nimera sighed "I dont know who on Arda I crossed to have friends like this."
She took her cloak from the back of her seat "Thank you again Stonehelm."
He frowned, catching her by the elbow as she passed him. "Surely you do not mean to walk back alone."
Nimera looked over to the vacant spot that Lor and Jorn had previously occupied. "It seems as though Lor has decided on a different path for the evening."
He pulled on his coat on "Please allow me then to escort you back."
Nimera shook her head "You should stay with your companions, do not cut your evening short on my behalf. I have journeyed to and from the mountain many times."
"It will be dark soon. I would not rest easy knowing you were alone." He offered her his arm
"Very well if you are sure it is no trouble." She relented, taking his arm.
He smiled, "None at all."
They stepped out onto the bustling street, following the lines of people as they made their way towards the main thoroughfare.
Nimera tugged on his arm, leading them down a narrow side street "This way will be quicker."
"You come to Dale often then?" Stonehelm observed as they bypassed another street
Nimera nodded "Some. King Bard has called for Oin's assistance on a few occasions. I also find the taverns here more agreeable."
He glanced over at her "How so?"
She shrugged "It is a hard transition to come from years of living in the wild to life under the mountain. I find I like to be out in the open sometimes."
"You were in Erid Luein before that were you not?"
Nimera nodded
"But your kin hails from the Iron Hills if I recall correctly?"
"My mother- she was born in the Iron Hills. She met my father on a diplomatic mission."
"Your father was nobility?"
"Nothing like that." She shook her head. "He was a soldier, a good one too from what Dawlin tells me. He accompanied Thorin to the Iron Hills, but when he met my mother he could not bear to leave."
He frowned, noting the hesitant tone in her voice "Where are they now?"
She was quiet for a moment. "Illness took my mother my 30th winter, My father was taken by orcs not long after."
He placed a hand on her arm "I am sorry I should not have pried."
"It is in the past, Stonehelm, I do not mind."
He hesitated for a moment "Why did you not remain in the Iron Hills?"
"Dwalin." She looked at the mountain rising up before them "He and my father became staunch companions after Azanulbizar. When he passed, Dwalin and Balin saw to his burial and offered me a place in their home in Erid Luein. They gave me a good life in the Blue Mountains."
The large stone figures loomed above them as they neared the main gait
"It truly is a sight one can see many times and yet it is just as impressive as the first." Nimera sighed
Stonehelm nodded "Erebor is truly the jewel of all dwarf lands." He looked over at her "Though the Iron Hills has many beautiful wonders of its own."
Nimera smiled "Aye I hope to see them one day. It is good to know I will have a guide close at hand."
"It would give me no greater pleasure." He bowed taking her hand in his
"Nimera?"
The pair turned to see Kili and Fili in the hall
"Oh hello Fili, Kili." Nimera greeted
Kili eyed them "I though you were in Dale?"
"I was. Risti and Lor had other commitments so I came back a bit early. Stonehelm happened to find me at the tavern and offered to see me back safely."
Stonehelm nodded "I should finish seeing you home."
Fili cleared his throat "I am sure she knows her way home from here." He cast a pointed glance to the hand Stonehelm still held.
"Aye, we had all best get to going home." Kili slung his arms around Nimera and Stonehelm as he wedged him self in between the pair "The initial bouts for the Khayam Undül begin at dawn."
Stonehelm nodded sliding out from under Kili's arm. He bowed to Nimera "Thank you again Nimera, I greatly enjoyed our conversation."
He inclined his head to the brothers "Prince Fili, Prince Kili."
As soon as Stonehelm disappeared around the corner Kili wrapped his arm around Nimera's "Come on then let's get you home. I have good money riding on you tomorrow!"