Out on the balcony, the air was cooler and the sound of the party was muffled. A few of the other guests had come out to escape the noise.

Thorin and Marryn strode out arm in arm.

"It is a cool night," Thorin commented, "Autumn may come early this year."

"I hope not," Marryn said, "I long for summer nights all year and when I finally have them, they never seem to last long enough."

Thorin smiled. "I suppose that is what makes them all the more precious."

A soft breeze rustled the trees. The night was bathed in the blue light of the moon. The pair rested their hands on the cool stone and looked out over the city facing the mountain.

"A wonderful gathering," Thorin said, glancing back through the windows at the feast within the hall, "Lord Girion is certainly a fine host and a noble man, as far as I can tell."

"Yes, I daresay he is," Marryn agreed, also glancing back.

"He is no relative of yours, then?" the dwarf asked, surprised.

"No, sir," Marryn replied, slouching in embarrassment, mistaking the dwarf's surprise for disappointment, "I am no noblewoman."

"I would not have guessed," Thorin said, "You have a noble air about you. Pray tell where you come from, then, dear lady."

"I do not know," Marryn said, a shadow falling across her face, "I am a mere orphan, taken in by a kindly old man of Dale by the name of Haban."

"If you are an orphan with no knowledge of whence you came," Thorin said, "you might very well be a noblewoman without knowing it."

Marryn laughed, relieved that her lineage had not deterred her companion.

"I suppose you are right," she agreed.

"Your guardian, Haban," Thorin continued, "what is his trade?"

"He is a maker of fine clothes and hats," Marryn said, "I have been apprenticing by his side since I was a child. This dress is of my own making."

"He has taught you well," Thorin said, "Does he trade with Erebor?"

"Yes," Marryn smiled, "In fact, you now wear one of Haban's tunics."

Thorin looked down. "It is my best one. The silver leaves along the collar are especially well done."

"The gold and silver thread he gets from your kingdom," Marryn said, "He's not allowed me to touch one spool of it yet."

"I imagine not," Thorin chuckled, "Weaving gold and silver into thread is no simple task. A spool is certainly expensive."

Marryn folded her arms and asked, "What of you, dwarf prince? What fills the days of a king's grandson?"

"It is upon me to learn the crafts of my people. Mining and forging and the rest," Thorin answered, "I was also given the task to oversee the kingdom's guardsmen. Not much of a job, as there has been nothing to guard from for many years."

"An important task, nonetheless," Marryn said, "For it may not always be so."

"Sometimes I fear my grandfather values his treasure too highly," Thorin said suddenly in a low voice, "It grows worse by the day. He has a constant group of our best guards protecting the hoard day and night. He would not join us tonight for fear of being robbed."

"I do not know the depths of King Thror's jealousy," Marryn said, "but I hope you do not judge him too harshly just yet. Your people have much to lose. Not all jealousy comes from a place of evil. Some, I think, comes from a desire to protect that which one loves. Forget not that those same guards also protect you at times. You are your grandfather's greatest treasure."

"You speak true, my lady," Thorin nodded with a grin. He gazed at the young woman for a moment. With the moon upon her face, she looked sad and wise but no less beautiful.

She caught him looking at her and he looked away quickly, giving her time to admire his flowing black hair, thick beard and thoughtful visage.

The party inside finally seemed to be quieting. Some guests were even returning home.

"Your people will not make the trek home tonight I hope," Marryn wondered.

"Some may," Thorin said, "Girion has promised accommodations for the night in the inn."

"Do you...often come to Dale?" Marryn asked, looking up at the sky, "I imagine you're quite busy."

"I could make the journey more often," Thorin replied with a knowing grin, "craftsmen come to the city all the time. I could join them."

"I would not ask you to neglect your duties for my own benefit," Marryn said, shrugging.

"You would not have to," Thorin said, sliding his hand gently next to hers.