"Brother," Dís said, with a smirk, "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

Thorin looked up from his work. His sister stood nearby with a cloaked figure, short and dwarf-like.

"Dís, please," Thorin said, returning to chiseling golden flakes from the wall, "Not now."

"Thorin," Dís said firmly, "You will enjoy this meeting."

Thorin dropped his tools with a sigh. He faced the strange dwarf and noticed gray eyes peeking out from beneath the hood.

"My lady?" Thorin whispered hoarsely.

The figure nodded.

Thorin glanced at Dís who smiled expectantly at him.

"You are a blessing, little sister," the dwarf whispered, squeezing her hand.

"I know," Dís replied with a smug grin, "And I expect to be compensated. Do you know how hard it is to disguise someone as a dwarf?"

Thorin chuckled and led the disguised Marryn down the hall. The pair traveled quickly and discreetly, avoiding suspicion. Through green stone halls lit with crackling torches, he walked before her, pretending she was a stranger.

Finally, they entered a room and the dwarf locked the door behind them.

"You had me fooled," Thorin said with a grin.

Marryn stood up straight, removed her hood and detached her false beard.

"Dís did this in case any of my hair became visible," Marryn said, motioning to the thick braids mixed in with her hair, "and I rather like it."

"As do I," Thorin said.

Marryn rushed into his arms and kissed him. He held her tightly in his strong arms for a long while without saying anything.

"This is a beautiful room," Marryn asked, "Is it yours?"

"It is," Thorin said.

The dwarf prince's room was cool and dim. There was no sign that the room belonged to Thorin at all. A large wardrobe stood against one wall and across from it, a large bed covered in all manner of animal furs. Between them, there was an arched doorway leading into another room beyond.

"You've not yet seen my favorite part," Thorin said, taking her hand and leading her through to the next room.

Inside, there was a large elevated pool of water with a small bubbling fountain. This room was steamy and warm, making Marryn wonder how the first room was kept so cool. Across from the pool stood a golden rack draped with white linens.

Before Marryn realized he had gone, she looked up in time to see a naked Thorin jump into the pool, splashing hot water and causing her to squeal in surprise.

The dwarf rose up again out of the water, his hair dripping and a playful smile on his face.

"Join me, my lady," he said, holding out his hand to her.

"A clever disguise to see my bare body, master dwarf," Marryn said, smirking and raising an eyebrow.

Thorin shrugged sheepishly.

The human woman undid the braids from her hair and freed herself from her dwarf costume. She stood hesitantly at the edge of the pool.

The dwarf admired her with his jaw agape. Marryn bit her lip and jumped in beside him. She emerged again and wiped the water from her eyes, laughing.

"It is no wonder this is your favorite part," she said, "already I would stay here forever."

Thorin pulled her close, enjoying the feeling of her soft skin against his.

"And someday you will," the dwarf said, "I promise."