Chapter 6:

54 Years Later

The years had passed over quietly enough. Bofur had left them after twenty, returning to Ered Luin to reunite with his family and work on his own toy-making business with his cousin. It had quite honestly been a sad day for Nala to watch him leave, for she had grown to find comfort in his presence, and it became quite at the campfire's after.

Never once did they return to Ered Luin, even when they passed right under the mountains so Bofur could return. Nala had watched her father eye the peaks with beady eyes, and even Bola seemed distant to what they used to call their home. She would admit that she also felt some sort of distance from what used to be familiar. They had left as quickly as they came.

Nala knew there was something in that mountain that unrested her brother and father. For a while she thought it may be the knowledge that their mother died there but she recalled her mother's unnatural death. It became a mystery that she was too frightened to question. But she couldn't ignore the fact she knew her legs wanted to take her back there.

It was Bola and Nala's birthday that fateful evening. The three family members sat in a tavern at Bree, the winter air making their face's sting, but the warmth of the hearth kept it at bay while they sat in the corner booth, awaiting another guest. But they weren't drinking to celebrate their day of birth.

Nala's arms rested on the table as she stared at her hands, fiddling with the skin around her nails. Long ago she traded her dress for pants, their cuffs tucked into the top of her boots and a short staff made of a fine metal resting along her side.

On her right was Bola, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His hood was up, barely leaving his eyes visible, but he wouldn't dare compromise his vision. His father was getting old and was never a trained warrior like Bola was and his sister, while she had a fighter's instinct and passion, lacked over twenty years of experience that he had. And she had a tendency to zone in on only one opponent at a time. And they were getting looks from more than one dirty man in Bree.

On Nala's left was her father who sat forward with his arms along the table like her own but unlike her low kept head, his was stretched, constantly searching around the tavern. They were waiting for a dear friend of his, after all.

Nala was a little excited, a little nervous as well. She hadn't seen him since just after her twentieth birthday. A letter found its way to them a little over six months ago, withholding a simple request for them to meet at Bree on this night. Her father had sent a letter back as soon as he could locate a quill and paper

"It's getting late," her brother noted under his breath.

"He will come," Nala countered, even if her own nerves began to debate the late presence. She turned her head, smiling with confidence that she never forgot how to display. "He always comes, if not a little late."

"I think being late is a given with him," her father added lightly to ease up the tension his son was brewing. Nala chuckled, nodding as she raised her tankard of ale to her lips. Her own hood was pulled up, resting behind the beginning of her hairline, more so acting as a comfort than a shield. And she could see her brother and father past the sides. "Indeed, I believe that his him there."

Nala and Bola followed their father's pointed gaze to the entrance of the inn where another stout figure, covered in a thick coat just entered. The Dwarf peered around the room and her father raised a hand in greeting. Nala tilted her head slightly to see the face under the hood of their companion for the night, eager to see what sixty years has done to the man but her movement was not needed as he pulls the hood down as he marches towards them.

"Ganula," Thorin greeted. Nala couldn't help but smile at the exiled King as he greeted her father first. He was just as she remembered, except a few strands of grey hair now decorating his hairline.

"Thorin," Ganula grinned. He stood as they clasped forearms in a firm shake. "I am sorry it has taken us this long to reunite."

"As am I." Thorin turned to his friend's children, smiling warmly. "Bola, Nala. I would recognise you both even if you weren't with your father."

"Well, I do hope I've grown out of my baby cheeks," Nala mused, standing to greet him also. Thorin nodded in agreement and they embraced in a quick greeting as family would.

"That you have."

Bola stood behind her, also stepping forward. "I do hope your meeting here is with good news," Bola noted as they clasped arms. Thorin nodded again, though only slightly and Nala could clearly distinguish something in his eye. It did not seem like they have met for news, but rather a proposition of some kind. Why else would he request to meet in person? The four sat back down at the table, Thorin taking the chair on the side facing the wall. Bola called out for a worker and an older woman with curled red hair sauntered over. "Another ale and plate of this please." The red-headed woman only perked an eyebrow, dropping her hand from her lip and left without a single word. Nala held her remark.

"Curious place for a meeting," her father said, eyeing off the inn of Bree once more. "It seems like whatever has brought us together once more is not something you wish for anyone of decent standing to overhear."

"And you would be right, my friend." Thorin's eyes also leered around the large space and Nala copied his movements but it seemed that none were paying attention. It was late and most were drunk or half asleep anyway. "I was approached by a Wizard, Gandalf the Grey who proposed to me an idea."

"Gandalf the Grey?" Bola repeated, leaning forward with sceptical eyes. "What on earth did he want?"

Nala frowned, looking between the three other Dwarves. "You know who that is?" she questioned. "I've never heard of him before."

"I'll tell you later," Bolas whispered to her as the twins turned their attention back to Thorin who obviously had more to say. "What did he say?"

"Gandalf has convinced me to put together a company. A company that will venture across Middle Earth to Erebor to reclaim the lost treasures of the mountain." Thorin watched all their expressions morph. Ganula's frown deepened, almost disturbed by the idea of the mountain he used to call home. Nala's brows pinched together as though she was trying to place a puzzle piece together in her mind. Bola's expression was the opposite of his father's; his eyes widened, and shoulders straightened.

"The Arkenstone," Ganula murmured. Thorin replied with a grave expression. Of course, Nala had heard many tales of the Arkenstone, just as Fili and Kili had. She knew of its importance – the power that the claim over it granted. It was Thorin's throne. "You are not seriously thinking of doing this Thorin," he hissed. "There's a living dragon in that mountain. You will be questing to certain death."

"The dragon hasn't been heard in over sixty years," Thorin countered. "This could change everything Ganula. It is my claim, the claim to the line of Durin and with it, the other clans will follow." He leant forward on the table. "This could be our chance to destroy Smaug, reclaim Erebor. And I need the Arkenstone to do it."

Her father shook his head, leaning back against the spine of the chair with a heavy sigh but Nala and Bola leaned forward, more intrigued than ever. "How big is this company?" Nala asked. "When are you leaving?"

"We are holding an official meeting in the Shire in a month, numbering at thirteen. I leave for it tomorrow morning."

"Well that's a bit short notice," Bola remarked lowly as his father continued to think quietly to himself. "I'm assuming you didn't call us here just to inform us of your whereabouts. You are here to ask my father to join you, are you not?"

Thorin leant back once more against his chair, turning his blue eyes to his old friend. "I am."

"I'll join." Nala and her father's heads snap towards Bola who sat confidently with a set face. "With no offence meant, I am a better warrior than my father. I'm younger – fitter."

Her brother leaving on a quest? How long would he be gone? They have never spent more than a week apart in their entire lives'. While she is whole by herself, not having her brother around would be losing something that she has never lived without.

"Bola," Ganula whispered. "You are too young. I will go."

Thorin's mind, however, was running through the facts. "Actually, with more thought, my invitation extends to Bola as well. You were more than a capable warrior when you left and I don't doubt years of travelling have sharpened your skills on the road as well."

"Then it's settled," Bola announced.

"B-Bola, are you sure?" Nala questioned. She was never one to try and prevent him from doing his own thing, just as he doesn't for her, but this seemed a bit more on the extreme end. "I'm sure there is no shame with refusing." She looked to Thorin for confirmation and the exiled King nodded at her words.

"Of course. But if we are successful you will receive a share of the treasure."

"Bola, I will go," Ganula stated. "Someone has to look after Nala and like you said, I'm no warrior. My skills lie on the road. Tracking, hunting, scavenging."

Nala's mouth opened slightly. She felt lost at what she should be arguing. "I don't need someone to look after me. But that doesn't mean I want the both of you to go. I…" Her words died out. She knew that one of them would be leaving the next morning – and event she has yet to come to terms with – but would she rather her brother, a capable fighter but her confident and twin to leave. Or her father, her only remaining parent who had little fighting skills.

"She's right," Bola replied. "She's more capable than she thinks she is as well. And besides, this is what I meant to do."

Meant to do? What on earth did that mean?

"This is what I'm meant to do as well," Ganula protested. Thorin had sat there silently, letting them argue amongst themselves. He had his own judgments but would not draw them out loud to either side of the party. He would not force or coerce someone to undertake such a journey. "You are not the only Durin Guard."

Nala mouthed the last two words silently to herself. 'Durin Guard?'. She had never heard the term before, yet it seemed to flow so easily from her father's mouth and her brother showed no signs of confusion. She begins to shrink as they argue on either side of her. Her head stayed low, but her ears stayed tuned into the voices. Finally, she opened her mouth again, facing her father. "Da, I…I think it would be best for Bola to go." She looked between the three males who stayed silent at her confession. "He's been training for something like this his whole life. He knows how to survive on the road, how to fight. If this quest is successful than he has the better chance of coming back to us."

Bola rested an arm around the length of her shoulder, kissing the back of her head. "I can do this Da."

It felt conflicting to fight for her brother to leave her. But he was just that: her brother. Her brother that she knew had dreams and the want for adventure. His enjoyment of life on the road came from the constant edge of danger lurking. A quest to the home of a dragon – it was the opportunity of a lifetime. And it was under Thorin's leadership, a man she trusted.

Xx

With all four Dwarves staying at the inn overnight, they spent the remaining hours they had until exhaustion claimed them reminiscing over what the other party has missed. Though Thorin had grown more pensive than before, his character hadn't changed. Bola had retired for the night, preparing himself for the early morning. Ganula had also excused himself to talk with his son, leaving Thorin and Nala at the table alone.

It didn't feel awkward, but she was unsure of what she should ask. "How is your sister?" she eventually settled on.

Thorin smiled softly over the top of his drink. "Dis is as she always has been. But she is worried for her sons."

At this, Nala frowned. "Kili and Fili?" she prompted. "Why is she worried for them? Is something wrong?"

"They are a part of the company," Thorin answered, both soothing her original fear and creating a new one. Thorin noted her downcast eyes which lingered on her fingers which pinched at each other. "I see that also distresses you." Nala nodded coyly.

"A little," she replied truthfully. "I know that the both of them are just as capable as my brother but it's only natural to worry for them."

"You? Worrying for Kili?" Thorin chortled with a curious gaze. "Never thought I'd see the day it wasn't you complaining about his bickering." Nala choked on her own laughter, nodding in agreement.

"I know. It was a tense relationship but he's Fili's brother and I would never want anything to happen to either of them." She reached to her chest, semi-consciously pulling the necklace over the top of her blouse. The blue stone was dark in the low light, barely visible through her fingers. "Has he found someone else to annoy as such or was I the only one special enough?"

Thorin chuckled, the sides of his eyes wrinkling into crows' feet. He took a long sip of his drink before answering. "I think it's reserved for you alone. Do you recall the night, oh you must have been around nine years of age, when I had to pull you apart in the kitchens?"

Nala blushed in embarrassment, ducking her head to her chest. "He stole my dinner," she defended.

Thorin continued his laughter, which was deep and smooth and did not disturb the dim atmosphere of the inn. "Perhaps the past fifty years has let that feud die down. After we return, why don't you come to visit us in Ered Luin or perhaps Erebor?"

Nala looked off to the side near the staircase her brother and father had travelled up. Would saying yes be a promise? And if she said no would he take it the wrong way? But the true question was – what did she want to answer? "I'll think about it." Thorin looked discontent with her answer but didn't press as her father returned.