Nimera planted her boot onto the empty chair, carefully tucking the dagger inside, the familiar weight against her leg bolstering her confidence.

"Nimera?" A hesitant knock sounded at the door.

She quickly stowed the last odds and ends into her pack, stepping out into the hall. Stonehelm stood at attention beside the door, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Expecting trouble?" Nimera glanced over the gleaming bronze armor bolted to his chest and shoulders.

"Always." He smiled

She tapped a finger on one of the mail pieces "I thought we had agreed on inconspicuous?"

"Aye we did, but Lord Dwalin has ordered drills for all soldiers in the mountain under the guise of training my father's army."

"He thinks an attack on the mountain is imminent?"

Stonehelm shook his head "It is unlikely, however it is best to prepare for what may come."

Nimera started towards the passage, dragging him with her

Stonehelm raised an eyebrow "The healing wing is the other way is it not?"

She shook her head "I must speak with Dwalin first."

…

Dwalin stood with his arms folded across his chest, his temper clearly on display as he barked at the soldier in front of him "If you think a move like that is going to save your hide in a real fight, you are gravely mistaken!"

He snorted as the young dwarf's sword was wrenched from his grasp again "Must I do everything myself?"

Dwalin pulled one of his axes from where it rested beside him, stepping into the ring. A dwarf bearing the Iron Hills insignia stood across from him, feet shifting in the grass as he readied himself.

Dwalin blew out an impatient sigh, giving the ax a lazy swing "Well are you going to attack or finish your little jig there?"

The dwarf lunged for him with a yell, swinging his war hammer down in a wide arc. In a single move Dwalin brought his ax up to meet the hammer, bringing its swing to a halt. He planted his boot on the dwarf's chest, knocking him backward into the dirt. He caught the hammer as it fell back to the earth, stopping it only inches from the dwarf's leg.

He swung the hammer into the grass, sinking its head deep into the earth "Pair up, the lot of you! First person I see gets disarmed is gettin' pitted with me."

A self satisfied smirk crossed his face as every dwarf around him scramble to find an opponent.

"Lord Dwalin." Stonehelm called as they approached

Nimera looked out at the soldiers "You should at least try to look like you are not enjoying tormenting them."

Dwalin raised an eyebrow "Why would I do something like that? I could probably throw you in one of those rings and have you best them."

She rolled her eyes slightly

"Is everything alright?" He asked looking her over

She took his arm. "We should speak…Alone."

He frowned, studying her expression for a moment before leading her into the vacant armory.

Dwalin leaned against the wall of the alcove "What is this about?"

Nimera sat on the edge of the table across from him "I received word from Dovon, Rhava, and Erron, they are only a day from Esgaroth. I should ride out to meet them, if there are dark whispers on this side of the Misty Mountains they will know."

He shook his head "It is too risky. I will send out a company to meet them."

Nimera frowned "They will not meet with those they do not know…I "

Dwalin put a hand up to stop her "You are not venturing off alone. It is too dangerous."

She jabbed a finger towards the door "It is dangerous for us to be walking around in the dark. Dovon may have information that could be useful to us!"

"If we do not make headway soon, Stonehelm and I will accompany you to meet with them."

Nimera leaned forward, "This is a mistake."

Dawlin pushed off the wall, casting a final glance back at her as he turned to leave "Maybe, but it is mine to make."

…

Nimera eased the door to her chambers closed, wrapping a hand around the key as she turned it, dampening the sound as the bolt slid into place.

She tiptoed down the corridor, drawing her hood up as she entered into the main passage. She held her breath as she waited for the guard in the hall to pass by, quietly slipping down the stairs below.

The cool night air wafted up to her from the end of the tunnel. She peered through the window of the stable masters cabin. The darkened windows a welcome sight as she eased past.

"Hello old boy." Nimera cooed, undoing the latch to her ponies stall.

The pony gave a frustrated stomp as she led him into the stable, unhappy at being saddled at such a late hour.

"And where are you going?"

Nimera jumped, an excuse forming on her lips.

In the dim light of the lantern she could see Fili and Kili watching her from the stable's entrance.

"I think I could ask you the very same thing!" She hissed "Where are your guards?"

Kili jabbed a thumb back towards the mountain "Probably the same place yours- fast asleep in their beds."

She looked between the two "Why are you both out here?"

Fili shrugged, slipping a saddle onto his pony "Hunting."

Nimera's eyebrows rose "Hunting? There may be someone out to end the line of Durin and you are going hunting?"

"It is too much for us to be sequestered all day." Fili tapped at the side of her neck "Besides if someone was really so intent on ending the line of Durin I do not think you or I would be alive right now."

"That does not mean there is no threat!" Nimera stomped her foot

"If I am not mistaken you are also not supposed to be out unguarded?" Kili smiled, tapping his chin. "Getting tired of Stonehelm already?"

She scowled, peeking out of the stable doors to ensure there was no one insight "Stonehelm is perfectly nice to be around."

"But not for your little night adventures?" Kili prodded

"I…"

"You do not wish for Dwalin and Balin to know where you are going." Fili guessed, leading his pony out of his stall "What are you planning?"

Nimera sighed "I am meeting Dovon, Rhava, and Erron."

Filis brows knitted together "The rangers?

She nodded, turning away from the brothers, leading her pony towards the stable door "If there is a plot against the line of Durin they will have heard the whispers."

Fili stepped in front, blocking her path.

"Wha…"

Fili snatched the reins from her hand.

"I do not have time for games." Nimera grumbled reaching out to retrieve the reigns from him

He pulled them out of her reach "If you think we are going to let you go off on your own after what has happened you are gravely mistaken."

Kili steered his pony in line beside her "We'll come with you. Plot or no you should not be out in the brush land alone."

"Very well." She relented "But you must swear to secrecy on what you hear that does not pertain to Erebor. What is discussed between rangers is private."

Fili nodded, pressing the reins into her hand "Of course."

…

Nimera held up a hand as they reached a large rocky outcropping, bringing them to a halt. She sat perfectly still, her eyes scanning the brush around them. She brought her fingers to her mouth, letting out a low rhythmic whistle as if a bird was searching for its mate.

Immediately the same sound echoed back to them further into the brush. Nimera dismounted, gesturing for them to do the same.

They followed after as she picked her way through the forest. She whistled again. The response sounding from just over the next rise.

A small fire flickered ahead of them, illuminating the three figures who stood waiting for them.

The oldest man lowered his sword as Nimera approached.

"Dovon." She clasped his forearm, inclining her head to him "I did not expect you to be back in the east so soon."

"Nimera." He nodded, his eyes flicking back to where Kili and Fili stood

"They are trusted friends. They will not reveal what is discussed here."

Dovon gave them a calculating look before motioning her over to where a weathered map was sprawled out against the rock.

"Strange happenings have brought us back."

Nimera frowned as Erron tapped his finger on the map.

Fili strained his eyes to see what had trouble her "Ered Mithrim."

Erron leaned back against the rock "There have been rumors… packs of gundabad orcs have reportedly been seen traveling down the Anduin."

Nimera looked up at him "To what end?"

Rhava laid his palm on the rock "We do not know."

Nimera leaned in closer following Erron's finger as it trailed down the map "You fear they are moving from Gundabad?"

"I cannot say for certain, but something dark is at work. Reports from Ithilien say that orcs are amassing in Minas Morgul.

Nimeras eyebrows knitted together, "Do you think the orcs will move further east out from Mount Gundabad into Ered Mithrim? Thorin should be warned."

"Your king has no cause for concern, The orcs In Ered Mithrim are spread far too thin to attack Erebor. No dwarf has died from orcs in the Withered Heath for over a decade." Erron cast a glance back to Fili and Kili "And it will remain that way so long as your kin keeps their greed in check."

Fili bristled "You would blame the actions of orcs on my people?"

"Greed is what sent those dwarves into the Withered Heath and if your kin are not careful greed may draw the orcs back out."

"My uncle has no designs upon Ered Mithrim. Nor would he risk his kin for what lies in those old mines."

"I have heard what happened in the battle for the Lonely Mountain… and before it."

"That is enough Erron." Nimera folded her arms over her chest "What happened to Thorin is in the past. We are here to discuss the present."

Erron shook his head "Apologies. I wished it merely as a warning. The mountain king's business is of course his own."

Dovon struck a match against the rock face, tilting the flame to his pipe "It seems Nimera here thinks the opposite, else she would not have called for us."

Nimera sighed "There was an attack in the mountain recently. I cannot help but feel that it was a move in a greater game."

Dovon hummed in agreement

Fili looked over to him "You think there is a plot?"

He shook his head "There have been plots against the line of Durin since Durin himself first ruled."

"Have you heard of any new rumblings lately?" Nimera asked

"A few, though none that hold any true threat." Dovon blew out a puff of smoke "It is impossible to become king without enemies."

Rhava put a hand on her shoulder "We will be in the east for another fortnight, we can track down the threads of some of these whispers in that time. If any new information comes to light we will send word."

Nimera nodded, clasping his hand in hers "Thank you."

She turned to Dovon repeating the gesture

"Until we meet again." He nodded

Kili handed her the reins as they turned back up the rise

"Nimera!"

She turned back to the camp

Erron gave her a broad smile "When you get tired of playing princess, come find us."

…

Nimera had only managed to creep back into her chamber and shed her riding clothes when Stonehelm's loud knock sounded on the door.

"Mahal." She groaned, tossing her muddy boots across the room "One moment!"

She pulled on the first clean shirt and trousers that came within reach, hastily pulling on her boots as she stumbled to the door.

Stonehelm regarded her with a strange look as she rushed out into the hall.

"Are you well?"

She smoothed some of her hair back into her braid "Never better."

.

Erron's words kept turning over in Nimera's mind. Even if the whispers were just that, there could still be a threat that was unseen.

"Mahal you look terrible!"

Nimera looked up from her tea "What?"

Risti looked her up and down "You have been brewing that pot for the better part of a half hour."

"Sorry Risti I did not even hear you arrive."

Risti waved a hand dismissively "No need for apologies I know how hard these early mornings are. I used to hate being up before the sun, it's not natural!"

Nimera hummed "Plus I do not have you here to keep me company."

Risti shrugged. "You have the apprentices." She gave Nimera a side-long look as she took a sip of her tea "Although, from what I have heard you are not hard pressed for company lately."

Nimera raised an eyebrow in question

"I believe I have seen Lord Stonehelm by your side at every turn since Durin's Day."

"Oh…uh.." Nimera paused, unsure of how to explain her sudden shadow "He has been helping me with some things."

"And what kind of things does the Lord of the Iron Hills help with?"

"Uhh…"

Nimera had never been so glad to hear the panic shouts for a healer echo from the hall "I should go see what is the matter."

Risti waved her off "Oh just you wait I will find out!"