Marryn pulled Thorin's fur-hooded cloak around her. Nights were growing colder as autumn made herself comfortable in Dale.
The road to Erebor was nearly empty as most of Thorin's folk had returned home hours before.
"You will write me?" Marryn asked.
"I give you my word," Thorin said, "When the time is right, I will come for you to take you to Erebor. Capable though I know you are, I would hardly let you walk the road alone."
They were stopped at the edge of the city on the road back to the dwarven kingdom. Marryn went to return Thorin's cloak.
"Keep it, my lady," Thorin said, "Until we meet again."
Something caught the dwarf's eye.
"Moon pebbles," he said, gathering a couple of white stones from the ground and showing his companion.
They glowed faintly in the moonlight.
"They are no precious gem, but I've always been fond of them," the dwarf said.
He took from his pocket a small knife and chiseled something into one of the stones. The knife cut the rock like butter.
He placed the pebble in Marryn's hand. A rune that the young woman didn't recognize was carved neatly into the smooth rock.
"What is this?" she asked.
"I want you to keep it," Thorin said quietly, "And let it be a reminder that my heart is in your hand."
Marryn looked at him. Her eyes were wide and glittering.
"I apologise if I seem forward," the dwarf said, "I was never one to hide my feelings well."
"Carve the other as well," Marryn said, "As a reminder that you have mine in return."
Thorin smiled and obeyed. He kissed the newly carved rock and placed it in his breast pocket.
Marryn leaned forward and kissed the dwarf's warm, bristly cheek.
Thorin weaved his fingers through her hair and kissed her softly on the lips.
"Until we meet again," the dwarf whispered.