"No," Thorin barked roughly.

"Thorin," Frerin reasoned, "taking the trail through the forest would shorten our journey by days at least."

"Neither that accursed forest nor any of its spineless inhabitants are any use to us," Thorin said harshly, "We make for the gap of Rohan."

"I agree," King Thror said finally, "I would not go near those elves should the end of all days be upon us. They turned their backs on us in our time of need. I can only see them hindering us."

"Father, be reasonable," Thrain said, siding with his younger son, "Thranduil knew a fight against the dragon was hopeless. He had his own people to worry about. He did what any of us would have done. I do not think he would hesitate to help us now."

"We'll have no food once winter sets in," Frerin added, "The elves are almost certain to have provision enough for our company."

"I would rather die than take scraps from elves," Thorin growled.

"Then you and all of our people might," Frerin said.

There was a commotion and no small number of screams nearby.

Without hesitation, Thorin and Frerin forgot their argument and ran toward the noise.

A dwarf woman had fallen to the ground, her baby in her arms. Marryn sat on the ground next to her, her bloodied sword still in hand. Before them both, a dead warg lay bleeding into the dry grass.

"What happened?" Thror asked, catching up.

Thorin and his brother approached the scene.

"It was her!" one dwarf cried, "the human girl killed the warg!"

"Are you alright?" Frerin asked, helping the dwarf woman to her feet.

The frazzled woman nodded and held her squirming baby close.

Thorin knelt beside Marryn, who stared distantly at the beast she'd slain.

"Marryn?" the dwarf said softly, breaking her trance.

She looked at him as if he startled her. "Thorin," she whispered, burying herself in his arms.

Other dwarves approached the warg now and examined the scene.

"She was the only one close enough," one murmured.

"This warg was sickly," another said, "Very lucky for all of us that she got him."

"You saved at least one life tonight, my love," Thorin said, trying to console the shaking human woman.

"I've never killed anything before," Marryn said softly.

Thorin laughed. "You could have done much worse."

Marryn looked at him with tears in her eyes and smiled. Her smile faded as the clump of heavy boots approached.

The king stood before the couple, glaring down at them.

"Get up," he said gruffly.

Thorin rose and helped Marryn up. They stood before Thror, who crossed his arms roughly.

"From the beginning, I have said that you would be the cause of any mischief to befall my grandson. I just knew you were only after our treasure and that you would do anything in your power to obtain it."

"Your highness, you--," Thorin began, but the king silenced him with a motion of his hand.

Thror looked at Marryn and took her hand.

"Forgive me," he said, his voice breaking, "I was blinded by a jealous greed and I have judged you harshly. Our people are lucky to have you with us."

The king kissed the back of the human girl's hand.

"Thank you, your majesty," Marryn said, curtseying slightly.

"Thank you, Lady Marryn," the dwarf woman squeaked, holding her baby tightly, still breathing heavily, "Thank you."

"My king," Thorin said, stepping forward, "With your permission and if the lady is willing…"

He glanced up at her with a breathless smile.

"It is my wish for us to be married as soon as we reach Dunland."

Thror placed his hands on his hips. "No, Thorin, I will not allow it."

Thorin's face fell for a moment before the king smiled and added, "I see no reason to wait. In such dangerous times as these, if you've found the one, you mustn't let go."